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VISD School Board Meets, Doesn't Answer Questions from Parents
VISD School Board Meets, Doesn't Answer Questions from Parents
By: Toni Marek
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Fri Apr 18, 2008 00:15:47 CDT
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I went to the VISD school board meeting tonight and I wanted to give the people interested an update. I was running late from another meeting, so I got there too late to get my name on the list to talk, but someone who has been working with this issue for over 6 months got his name on the list.
He was called to speak and had five minutes. He was slightly nervous because, unbeknownst to me, when you address the school board, they cannot answer you. They do not comment and they will not answer any questions. This is my fault, as I should have informed myself before attending.
Someone commented a day or so ago that I should email Tami Keeling or Ray Walden (sp) and that they would answer my questions. I will be calling both of those school board members tomorrow. If my phone calls fall upon deaf ears, I will send an email.
I don’t have high hopes, as I have called VISD three times now and no response will be given. Each time I am directed to another person’s voicemail and I leave a message. I was transferred to a Gloria Wearden (sp) one day and her phone line was busy. I was told she was on the phone and to call her back.
I hung up my phone and dialed her back to see if I could get a voicemail. This time, someone answered and told me she was not on campus, which was odd since only 30 seconds before she was on the phone.
I will also be trying to contact the newly formed PTO, but at this point that is all I know to do. I feel so disheartened because this is a major issue and after three calls and a school board meeting, I am still at the same place I was before.
I will apologize again for saying "that a little birdie" told me about this in the beginning. I was only trying to protect my source. This is not a rumor.
My source has been to 3 school board meetings and called the VISD Administration offices more times than he can count. Finally, when he got to speak to the superintendent, he was referred to the VISD’s lawyer.
The lawyer has not been able to answer one question in nearly 6 months because he is “busy.”
Am I the only one that sees VISD is hiding something here?
Am I the only one that thinks it is absolutely atrocious that VISD will not give a single answer to a question that pertains to every single child in the entire school district?
Your children (as young as 11 and 12) can go to a teacher, coach, nurse, or someone of the like and tell them they are scared of getting in trouble with their parents for having sex and they want help to be “protected.” They are then sent to the nurse who refers them to UTMB, who in turn gives them medical treatment and medication, all without your consent or knowledge that such a program even exists.
Furthermore, your children can do this as many times as they wish. Have then been any studies on how the Plan B or birth control pills affect a child as young as 10 or 11 after repeated use?
Not that I know of.
What is the protocol for a child who goes to a superior with this information?
What are the guidelines? What if a young girl approaches an older male teacher and confides this in him? Who protects the teacher and the girl if any problems arise?
There are so many sides to this equation that need to be answered and addressed.
VISD has an OBLIGATION to give the parents answers. They have a right to know what services are offered to their children and give their consent. At the very least, the student handbook needs to include this information, or the parents need to be informed via a letter or something of the like.
I am interested in finding out how the people running for school board feel about this issue and what they plan to do about it.
Aren’t elections only a few weeks away? Maybe one of you will represent the parents of the children of VISD.
I will be updating this blog as I get more information. Maybe someone will talk to me tomorrow, or answer my emails.
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Fri Apr 18, 2008 11:21:39 CDT
Toni,
You might have better luck writing a letter to the editor as more people will see it. Better still, call Chris Cobler editor of the Advocate and ask if you can write a guest column on the op-ed page (that way you won't be restricted to just 300 words as with a letter to the editor). A guest column would also put some heat on the school board and administrators - it appears that some pressure needs to be put on these clowns - getting the run around is really unprofessional! Good luck!
Fri Apr 18, 2008 10:55:33 CDT
Toni,Don't give up. If you are wanting an answer to this question, I'm betting that even though you aren't hearing many responses, there are a lot of people that want an answer.
VISD, what are you doing, sitting back hoping she gives up and walks away???
Victoria Advocate--- I think there is a great story here!!!
Later all.
Fri Apr 18, 2008 03:59:50 CDT
Toni, don't waste your time go straight to Ray Walden, in the past i was always given the run around at the admistration office. You have to go straight to the top. Ray Walden may not have all the answers but, he will respond. Good Luck!