What to write...

You should speak from the heart because this is an emotional issue for you – we’re talking about your lack of parental rights over your child. Your child should be allowed due process just as you would have if accused of a crime.

We do suggest that you talk about your child’s case and that you suggest three remedies that must be included in any reform. We also suggest that you state that you do not want the safety of your child or any other child or teacher to be compromised.

Katy Zero Tolerance supports three primary steps in reforming the disciplinary system for public schools:

Immediate parental involvement when a child is accused of a disciplinary code infraction or crime. Police will not be allowed to question a child prior to parent’s permission.

An appeals process of any punishment must be established with the ability to appeal to the district’s Board of Trustees.

The establishment of a Civilian Review Board to review the district’s police force actions (where applicable), disciplinary cases (when warranted) and the actions of district employees and their interaction with children. The CRB will make recommendations to the district’s Board of Trustees where action must be taken.

We do ask that you communicate to whomever you write the story of your child, if applicable. The story should be brief but to the point. The below format is encouraged to be used: (Use only the applicable portions as it relates to your case.)

Keith L., Alvin ISD

INCIDENT:

My son Keith, age 15 during the course of his lunch uttered a curse word to a friend. This was not directed at/to any Alvin ISD employ, facility, administrator or AISD police officer.

AISD RESPONSE:

AISD police upon hearing this bad word, questioned anyone that may have heard this bad word it they were offended. It appears that someone said yes in response to the question. My son Keith was issued a citation for disorderly conduct, a class “C” misdemeanor. Keith also received 3-day In School Suspension.

COURT:

We received a letter from the office of the Justice of the Peace for Brazoria County, stating when we were to appear before him and it includes a statement that if we fail to appear that I could be arrested. I told my son to plead however he felt comfortable and I would support him. He said he did say a bad word so he plead guilty. He received 20 hours community service, a $52 fine and 6 months probation with the threat if he were returned to that courtroom during his probation for any other offense he could possibly be led from the courtroom in handcuffs and taken to Juvenile Detention.

PROBLEMS:

Per the Texas Penal Code

§42.01. Disorderly conduct.

(a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly:

(1) uses abusive, indecent, profane, or vulgar language in a public place, and the language by its very utterance tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace;

There was no breach of the peace and this was not his intention.

SUBCHAPTER C. LAW AND ORDER

§ 37.081. School District Peace Officers and Security Personnel

(b)(2) may enforce all laws, including municipal ordinances, county ordinances, and state laws; and school police officers should handle only serious crimes such as those spelled out in 37.007

First and foremost, we ask that you remain civil and respectful of your representatives. However, you should never forget that they are your representatives. They work by the grace of you.

You should always be brief and to the point. Make your statement and urge action by them. If you need help in getting started, read our sample letter.

Tell them you are writing concerning needed reforms in the state’s juvenile justice system as it pertains to public schools.

Tell them you support the recommendations set forth for reform by Katy Zero Tolerance: urge them to visit this website www.KatyZeroTolerance.com, (See our recommendations below).

Relate your child’s case (see format below).

Remind them to attend the Texas Summit on Student Disciplinary Action to be held in Austin on Friday January 28, 2005 hosted by State Rep. Dora Olivo and tell them you’ll be there to see if they show up.

An easier way to email each person you plan on communicating with is to write your letter beforehand in word processing software (such as MS Word or Word Perfect) and save the document. Then when ready copy and paste your letter into the message box at the bottom of each email form on each representative’s website. The more you send, the louder our voice gets. Thanks, beforehand, for taking action!