Posted on 03/13/2009 8:15:42 AM PDT by Between the Lines
RALEIGH -- Home-school groups and conservatives across the country are infuriated by a Wake County judge's declaration that he will make a North Raleigh mother stop teaching her children at home and send them to public schools.
As part of a continuing divorce case, Wake District Court Judge Ned Mangum said last Friday that it would be in the "best interests" of Venessa Mills' three children to go to public school this fall.
Mangum said at the hearing that while the children are "thriving," they need to be exposed to the "real world."
"It will do them a great benefit to be in the public schools, and they will challenge some of the ideas that you've taught them, and they could learn from that and make them stronger," Mangum told Mills at last week's court hearing.
Mills said Thursday that she will appeal the order, saying that her children, ages 12, 11 and 10, are doing well academically. She said two of her children are learning two grades above grade level and the other is at grade level.
"I couldn't believe how he overlooked all the facts to legislate from the bench," Mills said.
Mangum's ruling and the reasons he gave ignited Web sites after the comments were reported Wednesday on WorldNetDaily, a conservative news Web site. An organized campaign is calling for Mangum to be removed from the case or for the judge to change his mind.
District court officials said they had received more than 25 complaint calls Thursday. Other Wake court offices also received calls about the decision.
Hal Young, a member of the board of Johnston County Home Educators, a support group for home-school parents, said it is upsetting that a judge can so radically alter a family's lifestyle.
"It's like the judge not only told them to change schools but to move to the West Coast," Young said. "They're losing everything they know."
Mangum was skewered online.
"If his idea of socialization includes the need to challenge the Christian ideas their mother has taught them, then he not only interferes with her natural right to raise up her children, he tramples on one of the most important elements of the free exercise of religion," wrote Alan Keyes, a frequent Republican presidential candidate, in a column that appeared on his Web site Thursday.
Mangum declined to comment Thursday, saying he couldn't speak until he issued a formal written order.
It started with a split
The court case began in October when Venessa Mills filed for divorce against her husband, Thomas.
Thomas Mills raised concerns in court documents that the children would be sheltered and not ready to socialize with their peers if they continued being home-schooled. They had attended public schools before Venessa Mills began home-schooling them in July 2005.
Mangum agreed with Thomas Mills at last week's hearing.
"I do think that in the interests of the children being well-rounded that public school will be a great option for them," Mangum said during the court hearing.
Venessa Mills said in court papers that her children interact with other kids at home-school activities. She repeatedly stressed their academic success.
"These kids are doing well," she said Thursday. "That's why it's such an injustice. It was an injustice for the kids."
Venessa Mills and her supporters also counter that Thomas was a bad parent who committed adultery. In an affidavit, Thomas Mills admits to having an affair.
"He wants to bring attention to home schooling to put less attention on his adulterous affair," said Robyn Williams, a friend of Venessa's who set up a Web site, www.hsinjustice.com to publicize the case.
Thomas Mills could not be reached for comment. His attorney, Jaye Meyer, declined to comment.
Cult accusations
During the case, accusations have been hurled about Venessa's involvement in the Sound Doctrine Church, which encourages its followers not to celebrate birthdays and holidays. Thomas Mills accused his wife of being in a cult, which she denied.
Venessa's father, Dan Lewis, filed an affidavit on behalf of Thomas saying he was concerned about his daughter's involvement in the church. Venessa said she was hurt by the accusations.
Because of the accusations, Mangum ordered Venessa to undergo a mental health evaluation.
Despite the outcry, Ian Slatter, a spokesman for the Home School Legal Defense Association, a Virginia-based group that backs home-school parents, say these kinds of custody cases are more common than people realize.
"It's a tragedy of divorce, but we don't see any broad implications," Slatter said.
Fight that STUPIDA**ED ORDER.
YO, ACLU ... seeing that the NAZI’s aren’t marching somewhere, here’s a good SUBSTITUTE CASE FOR YOU
Yea right.. those marxists wouldn’t touch this one that’s for sure.
“Mangum said at the hearing that while the children are “thriving,” they need to be exposed to the “real world.”
Spoken like a true fascist in a black robe.
This could become a precedent from which grow even more corrupt rulings.
“...and they will challenge some of the ideas that you’ve taught them,”
They must be indoctrinated by the State where the kids may (based on other educrats including Al Gore) with high pressure statements like “your parents don’t know everything”, “your parents are wrong” (which undermines ALL parental authority in the home), and “your parents grew up in an era of racism and cling to old ideas”.
Yea! Like the one idiot judges inhabit!
He’s being upfront that her kids are hereby sentenced to government re-education centers.
PARENTS have the PRIMARY right to educated their children. Period!
why not?
she has nothing to lose, but lots to gain.
the idea that governments should control education is wrong.
Ummm...seems like the kids have already been exposed as the judge wants. They've had more social exposure than home schooling by a factor of 4.
And BTW...the dad's an asshat for even bringing this issue up in the first place. Obviously he and his shyster felt this would be a good weapon against the mom.
There are a number of faiths recognized in America that discourage celebration of non-religious holidays and birthdays. Islam is among them. Jehovah's Witnesses as well.
**He’s being upfront that her kids are hereby sentenced to government re-education centers.**
That’s DOUBLEPLUSGOOD!!!
Room 101 for the whole lot of them.
By similar logic, it might be in the best interest of Wake District Court Judge Ned Mangum to serve a year in jail.
The “As part of a continuing divorce case” part troubles me...
I would need to know more details.
District Court Judges (919) 792-4800
Move along. The kids’ father should have no opinion on how his children are raised, nor should his opinion matter in court.
For your lists.
Mom will fight order against home schooling
Sound Doctrine Church, which encourages its followers not to celebrate birthdays and holidays. Thomas Mills accused his wife of being in a cult, which she denied.
There are a number of faiths recognized in America that discourage celebration of non-religious holidays and birthdays. Islam is among them. Jehovah’s Witnesses as well.
Doesn’t Obama support this practice? Speaking of that, when was the last time he went to church?
Major dittos!
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