Posted on 08/19/2025 10:10:26 AM PDT by simpson96
The News: The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) is representing an Iowa parent with respect to a potential defamation lawsuit after she, a newly naturalized citizen from the Dominican Republic, spoke at a public school board meeting about her concerns regarding certain curricula and instructional materials used in her son’s classroom.
What Happened: Our client, Mrs. Elayne Casalins, first addressed her concerns about the curricula and instructional materials with her son’s teacher, the school principal and the superintendent. She went to the school board because no action was taken after she explained her concerns to the teacher, principal, and superintendent. She then spoke at a June 19, 2025, Belmond-Klemme Community School Board meeting to make objections to the instructional materials used in her son’s classroom and the lack of notice she was given as a parent.
She reported to the school board that a teacher made the students watch the PG-13 movie “Till” without any parental notice or consent — even though many students, including her son, were only 12 years old. She further reported that there was a discussion of Black Lives Matter, racism, and police brutality all without parental notification or consent.
Mrs. Casalins’s comments to the school board were intended to address three issues: (1) in her opinion the curricula she objected to violated Iowa state law (Iowa Code § 279.74), (2) she believed that she was denied her statutory right to object to the curricula and instructional materials, and (3) to object to the materials after the fact under School Board Policy 605.3, and to ask that their future use be reconsidered.
Following her comments, Mrs. Casalins received a threatening letter from Boles Witosky Stewart Law PLLC firm demanding that she “cease-and-desist” any public discussion regarding this matter of public concern, namely controversial curricula and instructional materials used at the Belmond-Klemme Community School. The letter was sent on behalf of the teacher employed by the school district.
Why WILL is Getting Involved: On behalf of Mrs. Casalins, we reject the legal arguments and demands made in the threat to sue her. We believe that the U.S Constitution and Iowa law protect her ability to petition her local school board regarding matters relating to her son’s education. As a parent, she has the right to direct the upbringing and education of her son.
Mrs. Casalins objected to the curricula taught and the instructional materials used in her son’s classroom and told the school board about her concerns. She has made no defamatory statement, and she will not refrain from continuing to object to the curricula and instructional materials she described in her presentation. She will continue to pursue her rights under the Iowa statutes and under School Board Policy 605.3.
The Quotes: WILL Education Counsel, Cory Brewer, stated, “Mrs. Casalins had and continues to have a First Amendment right, and the right under Iowa law, to speak on this critical subject and to petition her government (the school board) for relief. We think it is crucial for parents to be free to direct their children’s upbringing and education and not be prevented from doing so by threats of a claim for defamation.”
WILL Client, Elayne Casalins, stated, “As a new American citizen, I have constitutional rights that make this nation the envy of the world. There is no better place to live your life and raise a family, and we moved to Iowa to live in a state that upholds these fundamental American values. I was shocked to receive such a threatening letter from a law firm representing a public employee, my son’s teacher. But I will continue to tell my story and speak out for my son and the rights of parents across the country.”
I never heard of this movie, but I'd guess it's about Emmett Till. Checking further... Yes, it's about 14-year-old Till who was murdered after allegedly whistling at (or catcalling) a 21-year-old white woman in 1955 Mississippi. Here's the movie trailer.
What is this mother's complaint about the movie?
Same as it would be if they showed "Schindler's List".
You do not show children things that are for mature audiences without having their parent sign off on it first.
I know this tends to confuse a lot of people, but they are not "your kids" and even if they are in your school your power over them is very limited.
you have zero idea what the other 7th grade parents think on this issue in iowa
Excuse me? I'm not the confused one here. These parents who put their children into public school and then complain about it are confused. I didn't send my kids to public school. But I was forced to pay hundreds every month in school taxes, leaving me to penny-pinch to feed and educate my own children until I had no choice but to sell our home. So, parents like this woman get zero sympathy from me.
I was only wondering what was wrong with the movie. The rating doesn't tell us exactly what's in the movie. But, never mind... I found another article that answered the question: It contains "graphic depictions of the murder of Emmett Till."
These parents who put their children into public school and then complain about it are confused.
Are the people who drive on public roads and complain about the potholes confused as well?
When the public is paying for something they have a say.
I didn't send my kids to public school. But I was forced to pay hundreds every month in school taxes, leaving me to penny-pinch to feed and educate my own children until I had no choice but to sell our home.
And you do not see how all of this actually goes together?
So, parents like this woman get zero sympathy from me.
Your choice.
I was only wondering what was wrong with the movie.
And you got an answer.
Mandatory watching for elementary school children, is my guess.
We have to drive on the roads. But parents have a choice on whether to send their kids to public school.
>When the public is paying for something they have a say.<
This is the problem with public schools: Everyone is forced to pay for them, so everyone gets a say - and everyone will never agree 100% with each other.
>I was addressing the teachers union, who tend to refer to them as "Our kids"<
Sadly, most 'school parents' (parents who send their children to school) are willing to go right along with the teachers unions.
>And you got an answer.<
Yes, I did. I looked it up because the rating alone doesn't tell us much.
Have a good night.
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