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.
That’s correct. What I see here is the father having some say in how his children are educated. And he should have a say.
He said Venessa Mills decided to home school after getting involved with Sound Doctrine church "where all children are home schooled."
They both attended Sound Doctrine church, but after Thomas Mills' adulterous affair (which he admitted to in court) the church shunned him. He later claimed in court that the church was cult. (Could it be that his insistence on public school was less about whats good for the children and more about revenge to the mother and church?)
Also even though Mr. Mills makes $9,400 per month, the judge required him to make the lowest monthly child support payment the law would allow, $1,383.75. That figure is only $300 more than the mortgage payment of the Mills home which the judge ordered that Mrs. Mills must pay. If she does not pay the mortgage payment Mr. Mills can pay it and deduct the amount from his child support payment. Even if Mrs. Mills chooses not to live in the home! (This is a very unusual ruling indeed.)
That leaves her with $300 to feed and cloth the children for an entire month, but insures that he will not face any financial repercussions from loosing the home. It also insures that she must get a job to support the children and that would leave no time for homeschooling.
Also the judge ruled that Mr. Mills could continue living in the home until the divorce was final even though he continues his adulterous affair.
The entire ruling has too many strange things in it to not think that the judge is trying to punish her and reward him. Note that in North Carolina by the way the laws are designed the adulterous spouse usually ends up with the short end of the stick.
They need a mediator, someone who can help them come to a good solution, one that is best for their children. I just don’t happen to think that WCPS system is the best option.
They need a mediator, someone who can help them come to a good solution, one that is best for their children. I just don’t happen to think that WCPS system is the best option.
If I read the article correctly the Judge said that the only reason that he was ordering the children into the Government Run left wing teaching School was that there was Religion being taught at the home schooling. Since the father did not want his children taught religion the judge moved in his direction.
But of course that is only my personal opinion and as they are doing in some states where they are stopping all home schooling and religious schooling if may not be anything that "We The People" can do anything about.