Posted on 03/13/2009 6:33:54 AM PDT by whatshotandwhatsnot
Raleigh, N.C. — A judge in Wake County said three Raleigh children need switch from home school to public school. Judge Ned Mangum is presiding over divorce proceeding of the children's parents, Thomas and Venessa Mills.
Venessa Mills was in the fourth year of home schooling her children who are 10, 11 and 12 years old. They have tested two years above their grade levels, she said.
Her lessons also have a religious slant, which the judge said was the root of the problem.
(Excerpt) Read more at wral.com ...
Another example of the state coming into the home to raise the children. It does not take a village to raise a child, it takes a mother and father. Its a shame this family is breaking apart.
Shameful
“We have math, reading; we have grammar, science, music,” Venessa Mills said.
Her lessons also have a religious slant, which the judge said was the root of the problem.
“My teaching is strictly out of the Bible, and it’s very clear. It is very evident so I just choose to follow the Bible,” Venessa Mills said.
In an affidavit filed Friday in the divorce case, Thomas Mills stated that he “objected to the children being removed from public school.” He said Venessa Mills decided to home school after getting involved with Sound Doctrine church “where all children are home schooled.”
Thomas Mills also said he was “concerned about the children’s religious-based science curriculum” and that he wants “the children to be exposed to mainstream science, even if they eventually choose to believe creationism over evolution.”
In a verbal ruling, Mangum said the children should go to public school.
“He was upfront and said that, ‘It’s not about religion.’ But yet when it came down to his ruling and reasons why, ‘He said this would be a good opportunity for the children to be tested in the beliefs that I have taught them,’” Venessa Mills said.
The kids always lose in divorce. This is no way to handle any acrimony that may exist between spouses. Kids should not be in the middle but always get hurt. The mother should move out of the county to continue home schooling the kids.
The single parent thing doesn’t even wash with this. I know of several single parents that home-school. Heck, there were at least a dozen at our last home-school high school graduation. Sure it complicates matters, but single parents that are committed to managing their children’s education need to be commended, not condemned.
Forget this judge. Homeschool anywise. If he doesn’t like it, what’s he gonna do, throw a woman in jail for educating her own kids?
The First Ammendment clearly says “Separation of church and ________________.” Just ask any libtard.
Please tell me this is an UNCONSTITUTIONAL ruling and has already been appealed...
I don’t agree that they ‘invited this activist judge into the mix’, at all. They have a reasonable expectation that the process through which they must go should be fair and impartial, and should not be used as a podium from which the judge is free to apply his/her moral standards to the case before him/her. Lacking that fundamental impartiality, this case cannot be fairly adjudicated.
It’s time to take back the country.
This is happening in my own backyard. I homeschooled my children for 11 yrs, most of them in Wake Co. Let’s see, exposing them to the Bible or gang activity (at least four “students” were arrested after a gang-related fight at Leesville High either this week or last).....Wake Co. screaming about the lack of funds.......overcrowding....yep, makes perfect sense to me. </sarcasm>
This parent can contact these people and appeal this stupid ruling. HSLDA-Home School Legal Defense Association
Just one of many stories about the gang activity in WCPS.
Actually, I think we're all rushing to judgment here. First of all -- our three kids are in Christian schools and one was homeschooled for a few years so we are in your camp in sentiment.
But the primary issue here appears to be the fact (1) that the marriage is breaking up, and (2) that the father, who in all likelihood will receive 50% custody, does not want his children homeschooled.
I somehow can't fault the judge for deciding that the "default" process for educating the children is the local public school. We have to be realistic here. Whether the father is Christian or not, his will re his kids' education is important and the judge has to listen. I expect that, since Mom does the homeschooling, he also objects to the extra quality time she gets with them if she's the teacher; time which doesn't count in her 50% custody.
Again, I agree with everyone's general sentiments that homeschooling is better than the alternative, but I also totally believe in the rights of parents to raise their children how they feel. It would be equally wrong for a judge, a Christian man, to order kids to BE homeschooled if one parent in a divorce situation dissented.
One of the previous posters is correct. This wouldn't be happening if the parents weren't divorcing. The act of divorce always means the loss of decision authority children, ceding it to a judge. As a Christian man, but a practical one, I have trouble finding fault with the decision.
We homeschool and I STRONGLY support a parent’s right to choose how to educate their children. HOWEVER, I know exactly what you are saying. The father has rights, too. Unfortunately, his choice is terrible. But it is his choice. How do you split the baby? This is a tough one.
I agree too - didn’t catch the part where the father wanted them IN a classroom.
Yes - sadly, with divorce, other decision-makers enter the process.
The dad is being awful proobably just to harass the wife. The judge can’t order them to public school, it’ll never hold up.
This insanity will stop the first time parents stand up and say:”Fine, you know how to raise them, you pay for them”. And walkout!
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.