Posted on 06/18/2005 8:15:49 AM PDT by Graybeard58
Before the parade passes her by, Tiffany Hasley will stand up for her right to perform with the Beatrice High School marching band. She'll be on the corner of 13th and Court streets in Beatrice at 8:30 a.m. this morning, all lined up for today's Homestead Days Parade.
Clarinet in hand, standing tall in her stiff new band shoes, she plans to leave quietly when school officials tell her she cannot march. Because the home-schooled eighth-grader does not want to make a scene, just a point. That is: Home-school students should be allowed to participate in any public school activity, as long as they pay taxes and live within the school district.
"I'm not in tears," she said. "But I'm kind of mad. My band teacher says I'm a good student. And I am first-chair clarinet."
Beatrice High School officials told Tiffany last month that she would not be able to participate in band next year as a ninth-grader. The school bars home-school students from being in activities regulated by the Nebraska School Activities Association.
Tiffany's parents, Ron and Vicki Hasley, plan to fight the school's decision, maybe even in court. But, at least for this summer, they figured she could still play with the band.
That's not the case, they learned Wednesday when band director Bruce Greenwell told Tiffany just before practice that Superintendent Dale Kruse decided she should sit out Saturday's parade. On Friday, the Hasleys received a formal letter from Kruse stating the same.
"They say she isn't registered, but no one has to be registered until school starts this fall," said Ron Hasley. "Really, quote me that policy. Show me that statute."
Both Kruse and BHS activities director Randy Coleman were unavailable for comment Friday.
But Roger Harris, attorney for the Beatrice school board, said the decision is consistent with school policy. No one can play in the band unless they are registered, full-time students at the school, he said.
"Even though marching in the parade is an informal thing, it's not open to just anyone," Harris said.
"Say a student from Wymore wanted to march. Would anyone care? Probably not. But the perception is, ‘This is the Beatrice High School band,' and we have to protect that."
Whether homeschool students can be in marching band is at the discretion of each school, said Jim Tenopir, director of the NSAA.
Band members can practice or perform at non-NSAA events such as parades or high school football games. But for competitive activities, the NSAA only allows students from accredited schools to compete against other students.
NSAA eligibility rules ensure that high school students keep up their grades and attend school regularly, or they cannot compete, Tenopir said.
Enforcing the very specific and rigid rules among homeschoolers would be impossible, he said.
"You are probably not going to hear a parent say, ‘I caught my kid smoking so please don't let him play football,'" Tenopir said.
But some state senators would like to change both school policies and NSAA rules to include homeschool students.
Legislative bills addressing that issue have been introduced for the past few years, most recently by Sens. Phil Erdman and Mike Foley. But none of the bills have made it out of committee.
Ron Hasley said he's "a constitution kind of guy," who will pursue the issue, not only for his daughter but for other homeschool students.
"I pay taxes," he said. "I'm asking for a service, and I'm not getting it. I hope what happens here sets precedence for the state."
That's the court case right there. Let a judge decide to either refund the taxes or mandate that she can use the public school's facilities. This wouldn't be a point if the public schools were more community-friendly instead of immitating Castro's prison system.
It could be argued that being officially recorded as a home schooled student qualifies as being registered. Then, a home schooler should even sit in on regular classes or take a course at the public school if desired. Registration for a particular course would have to be the same as any other student. That is more like community college, and maybe it should be so.
You are way off base. Obviously the girl's parents want her to have a better education than what she can get in the public school. They pay taxes and the school should allow her a spot in the band IF she makes the competitive cut.
It blows my mind that people like you begrudge someone who wants a better education the ability to join in on some extra-cirricular activities. Otherwise, its taxation without representation. As long as the kid is good enoug to make the team/band/, Big brother shouldn't be allowed to take your money and slam the door in your kid's face.
Also, a school band or team represents the community - not just the school itself. For example, the Yankees and Padres represent the states that they are from, not just their parent corporations...
Yes it is. Enroll the kids there or not. You can't and shouldn't be able to have it both ways. Having it both ways would be most unfair to people like me that have chosen to send kids to private schools. I still pay school taxes. I don't get a thing from my school taxes. However, I wouldn't even think about trying to get my kiddo into the local middle school band because her private school doesn't have a band. My daughter doesn't go to school there. The principal would be fully within his/her rights and correct to tell me my daughter can't play in their band because she doesn't go to school there. It's pretty much a no-brainer.
I support the girl's desire to be in the band and I hope she gets in.
But your argument is a little specious. Your home-schooled kid can go to French class, because the teacher is really great, but not the history class, because it is being taught by a pro-Marxist deviant. My home-schooled kid should be able to attend advanced calculus class, but not the English class with all those politically-correct but mediocre authors. How on earth can any school district manage that?
I support home schooling for those who want to (we don't, although we have considered it). And I wish the home schooling parents would get at least some of their taxes back. But it is not about taxes, it's about the kids. You make a choice: your kid is in or out.
I just wish I had confidence that the judge's ruling will be just and fair. That's not a given anymore, especially when it comes to bucking the school nazis.
Are you suggesting that since my daughter goes to a private school and not a public school that she should be allowed to participate in extracurricular activities at the local public school because I pay school taxes?
You should be able to. It is all to the good when the student takes a place in the commerce of the community.
If your private school doesn't have a band then your kid should be allowed to try out for the PUBLIC school band too. Your problem would be that you wouldn't be able to take your child out of the other school at a particular time because he would have another class to attend. Homeschooler's don't have that problem.
Relax. It's all part of the deconstruction of education in America.
Udon't agree with your statement. Since we pay taxes to support the school, then we should be able to join any extra activities they have or give us our money back. Why should I pay for something I'm not allowed to use? Vouchers, vouchers, we want vouchers.
In my state, the school DOES receive money for "supervising" the education of homeschoolers in their district (ie reviewing the portfolio at the end of the year). How much, I don't know, but they seem awfully content to let us continue to homeschool.
An example: students at a private school can participate in competitive events with students at public schools. This is done all the time both in sports and in academic contests. Participation is encouraged and expected.
Exactly. It's like telling someone they can't borrow a book from the PUBLIC library because they own a bookstore.
She's paying for it. It is hers.
What about me? I don't have kids. Why don't I get the percentage of MY taxes that goes to public schools refunded?
That's true.
Public libraries will come under attack next. People will complain about tax monies buying books that aren't to their taste.
On the contrary, the schools are there for her and her family to use. They choose not to. That should not automatically entitle them to a refund on their taxes.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.