Is Sonny Purdue the Daddy?
This is not the first time under Kathy Cox the Georgia State Department of Education overreaching policies have come into question. Do you think the State of Georgia should force an autistic child to go to school in a facility that does not meet proper safety standards?
July 16, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: David Chastain
Phone: 770-630-8294
Is Sonny Purdue the Daddy?
ATLANTA – As the duly elected Chief Executive of Georgia, it is Governor Sonny Purdue’s responsibility to execute the laws of Georgia through the various state executive agencies. Today, negative consequences of Georgia ’s ill-conceived Compulsory Education Laws are playing out in Sonny’s backyard near Bonaire.
The State of Georgia , through its school district in Houston County , has used its police power to arrest a young mother for asserting her parental rights in deciding what is best for her young autistic son. Her boy’s pediatrician is deemed inferior to the State in diagnosing illnesses and prescribing the therapies that are in the best interest of his seven year old patient. Instead, Houston County school district employees are adding medical diagnostics to their list of school services.
As everyone knows, long-term medical absences from school are excused with a “note from your doctor.” Yet, when the Loiaconos presented medical forms, signed by their son’s pediatrician, explaining the medical conditions that require an extended absence, the Houston County School District refused to acknowledge the doctor’s diagnosis and withheld the appropriate services outlined and funded under state and federal regulations. These medical conditions, according to the Loiaconos, were the result of physical and mental abuse suffered by their son while under supervision of Houston District employees.
Asked to declare herself a home school teacher, Betsy refused, as her actions conformed to the advise of a medical professional. Ms. Loiacono does not want to home school. She actually prefers public school. Just the same, she was arrested, booked and held briefly in a jail cell until her bond was posted. Her attorney, Hatcher Graham, has filed her Not Guilty plea and the young mother is scheduled for criminal trial on October 1st.
The irony of the Loiacono case is that Betsy is a volunteer advocate for children with special needs, trained under the supervision of the State of Georgia . Middle Georgia parents seek Betsy’s free representation for guidance in the maze of state and federal regulations relating to special education.
For Libertarians, the codified notion that the State is superior to the parent is abhorrent and flies in the face of basic human rights. How can families flourish without freedom? And where no one is surprised to hear of third world dictatorships imposing themselves on families, the average American fails to realize that the state’s power to control education and medicine carries with it the power to control the family.
Three parents have already been arrested, jailed, and will stand trial in Georgia . The Loiaconos and their supporters are asking Georgia’s elected leaders to support Georgia ’s children by insuring accountability throughout GeorgiaR17;s State schools.
So, if the nanny state of Georgia is ultimately your child’s mommy, what does that make Governor Sonny Purdue?
Georgia LP executive director, David Chastain, says, “It’s a shame Georgians know so little of the plight of volunteer mom Betsy Loiacano and way too much of California’s party girl, Paris Hilton.”
Learn more about Betsy Loiacono’s ordeal at click here
Carmen
America was not based on a guarantee of success. But if we give local control back to the counties we can hold people accountable. Also if they do a bad job we can get rid of the people. Finally it will foster community and parent support.
We also need the local schools working with home schools and charter schools and private schools to create more options to help kids. The problem with Kathy Cox is she wants less options and more national and statewide one size fit all standards! The only winners are the publishing companies!
John,
I think that is what the school systems want – local control, so they can keep the people divided and conquered.
We need real accountability. You are right about the publishers and all the others that are making money off of education.
Look at the 21 million of annual insurance premiums to combat litigation. Google: Georgia School Board Aassociation Risk Management Fund.
Yes, I do agree that everyone needs to work together. I just am not convinced that local control is the answer. Local control does not mean less corruption and abuse of funds.
BTW, I never stated America was based on a guarantee of success. Where’d you get that?
All
Please review this lawsuit that has been brought against the state dept of ed by the Consortium of School Districts:
http://www.casfg.org/
BTW John Konop– many districts are failing, even the ones you mention. Everyone must keep an eye on graduation rates and teacher turnover to understand what is happening in your district.
Our grad rates are simply not good. And our teacher attrition rates are one of the worst in the nation. Georgia has created a revolving door and its not only because of NCLB, but becuase of old-fashioned ways. School administrators are not up to speed on many out of the box teaching styles nor are they up to speed on special education laws either. Many administrators, sadly, are very racist and unwelcoming to kids. In my estimation, they are the ones that picked the wrong profession.
Carmen
I was just giving my opinion.