Augusta kids killed (Another Homeschool Killing)

Helena Independent Record ^ | 8/27/2002 | CAROLYNN BRIGHT

[CholeraJoe]

Augusta kids killed
By CAROLYNN BRIGHT, IR Staff Writer - 08/27/02

Swanson faces 2 counts of murder.
A 46-year-old Augusta mother allegedly shot and killed two of her four children as they slept in their beds at the family ranch about 15 miles southwest of Augusta early Monday.
Jeanette Swanson faces two counts of deliberate homicide in connection with the shootings and is being held in the Lewis and Clark County Jail without bond.
Swanson was placed on suicide watch at the jail Monday afternoon while the bodies of her children — a 10-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy — were brought to the State Crime Lab in Missoula, where an autopsy will be conducted, said Undersheriff Cheryl Liedle.
According to Liedle, emergency responders flocked to the Swanson Ranch just before 6 a.m. after Swanson called 911, reporting that she had shot her two children.
Swanson’s other two children — boys, ages 16 and 20 — were in the house at the time of the killing, but were unharmed in the incident.
Swanson’s husband, Gene, was sleeping in a camp trailer outside the residence when the shootings occurred, Liedle said.
According to reports, Swanson was waiting at the door of the residence when emergency crews arrived.
Her children were located in their beds inside — both were dead at the scene, Liedle said.
Liedle said a firearm believed to have been used in the shootings was recovered at the family home, but officials will await the results of the autopsies to determine whether it was, in fact, the murder weapon.
Court documents indicate that Swanson’s 20-year-old son reported to authorities that his mother had a .38 Smith and Wesson gun in her possession when she placed the 911 call, but Liedle would not confirm whether that was the same make of gun seized at the scene.
Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Sam McCormack said Monday morning that a motive for the killings was sketchy.
However, he said that Swanson and her husband had argued last week about Swanson’s decision to enroll the two children in school in Augusta — Gene Swanson wanted his wife to continue to home school the kids on the ranch while she wanted them to attend public school.
The children attended their first classes at school in Augusta last week.

[agrandis]

your observation is the exact oppisite of mine, and I think an observation of history would support mine, as well. I think logic and biology would support them, as well. Maybe you are "seeing" what you want to see. Time will tell, of course; get back to me in about 15 years.

[Intimidator]

Plus, in our church the prevailing mindset is moms need to stay home

You wouldn't happen to be southern baptist would you?

[1L]

No. Va teachers AVERAGE $50K per year

What's the net after mandatory teacher union dues?

[agrandis]

No, I wasn't really trying to disparage parents who send their kids to the gov camps. My own dear parents did that with us, because they didn't know at the time what else to do. I'm just thankful to them that they took the time and sacrifice to "homeschool" us around the public schools.

My comment to Diahreah Joe was to show that the propaganda with which he posted this article could easily be put on its head.

[Old Professer]

Odd that she would kill two and not touch the other two; perhaps this was a mixed family, the two younger children being from an earlier relationship of the husband and the surviving older two hers from a previous union. That might explain something here.

[1L]

If teachers are going to bitch about pay, why did they get into teaching???

I agree with that. I don't like teacher organizations that seem to be single issue political groups devoted only to the issue of teacher pay.

Parents that teach their own children don't get paid a dime for teaching, and they pay taxes for the indoctrination camps on top of the thousands they pay out for real books and supplies and sometimes tutors. The bitching about pay is falling on deaf ears here, I assure you!

I also agree with this. I'm in favor of vouchers, tuition tax credits, whatever measure of relief we can give parents who want to educate their kids their way (or by way of private education). I'm simply saying that before we mindlessly fall for the 3 months a year off and $50K average (which MAY apply to some teachers but certain not all, and I would argue not most), let's make logically and factually based arguments. The majority of the country's teachers are not in the northeast under the protection of labor unions. Teacher unions are illegal in some states.

[KineticKitty]

About "how many teachers kill their students" question/thinking? Got'cha

[Tired of Taxes]

We have a 3 year-old in daycare. He and his peers are much easier to teach and instruct than the children with stay at home moms. Just an observation, not a judgment.

Well, I have to say that I did make a similar observation when my then one-year-old son was a member of a play group once. A very young girl (age 2 or so) appeared almost aloof and very docile; she was willing to go off with just about anyone. She didn't even blink when her mother left the room. The other mothers noted that she was usually in daycare and that daycare children act that way. There was also a babysitter who brought a baby girl to the group; that baby girl acted the same way. I guess some parents might have the opinion that it's a good way for toddlers and babies to behave. Not me. I personally would worry about that. But, of course, my comment isn't intended as a judgment of daycare children in any way. (Yes, I'm making a point with that last line).

[CholeraJoe]

I just got back from lunch and several people at the cafeteria table knew this woman. They are surprised that she didn't snap sooner. None of the kids are the husband's. The family lived as recluses and seldom went into town. She had been exhibiting bizarre behavior in the past. The husband was insistent on homeschooling.

[agrandis]

Okay, then, we agree more than I thought we did. ;)

[xsmommy]

well we knew she was a nut....seems that he shoulda known too.

[xsmommy]

can we safely find common ground enough to state the moral of the story is that NUTS should not homeschool, nor should they be public or private school teachers?

[hobbes1]

OK. First off, the 44,600, if you had bothered to fresearch the link I provided, is all CLASSROOM, not Admin.

Secondly another Freeper in N.Va, echoed the 50 k., But I will say, The census data showed the average monthly paycheck for a teacher in NJ.was $4,289,

NJ, By Law mandates 180 school days.... as does Texas... Texas Code annotated...(a) Except as authorized under Subsection (b) or Section 25.084, for each school year each school district must operate so that the district provides for at least 180 days of instruction for students.

[KineticKitty]

lol, I don't think whether or not there was something wrong with her was in question. But thanks for tidbit. Did these ppl actually know her? Or did they hear this about her?

Sounds like she knew her limitations when it came to the home schooling issue unlike the father, and if she was "weird" or was acting crazy I wonder why the husband didn't do more to help her condition. (assuming it was noticeable and ongoing)

(LOL, just so I don't have to put on any asbestos underwear today)**DISCLAIMER; I don't feel the husband is at fault for these murders or should be held responsible. The murderer is at fault and is ultimately responsible, which would be the mother in this case.

[hobbes1]

(which MAY apply to some teachers but certain not all, and I would argue not most),

44,600. NATIONAL AVERAGE,Classroom only.

[CholeraJoe]

NUTS should not homeschool, nor should they be public or private school teachers?

If you listen to the rhetoric on this thread, NO ONE, should have the right to interfere with any parent's right, simpleminded or wackjob though they may be, to homeschool their children. Furthermore, any mother who doesn't stay home with her eight stairstep kids and homeschool them is worthy of only contempt.

[KineticKitty]

Here Here...

[hobbes1]

There are a few schools with a year-round school year, but it is not the norm. I think for what they are paid, that all teachers should be on the year round school year,

Like Texas. Texas Law Mandates 180 days.

[xsmommy]

i totally agree with you KK and i think we would have been in agreement on the Yates threads as well. CJ likes to get UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL with the NUTJOBS in MT....; )

[hobbes1]

Heres the Stats on Texas.

SALARIES INCREASING

Teacher salaries are increasing across the state. The Texas Association of School Boards' 2000-2001 Salaries and
Benefits Report found that

The average starting salary for beginning teachers was $26,708. This compares very favorably with their fellow
students who enter the corporate world.
School districts with student enrollments over 10,000 average beginning salaries of
greater than $31,000, a response to the economy and high teacher demand in those
areas. This is often the case in major metropolitan areas. For instance, Spring Branch
ISD (Houston) pays new teachers $33,000 while Carroll ISD (Fort Worth) pays
$34,200.
Eighty-five percent of the districts report paying higher maximum salaries than the
20-year salary of $40,800 on the state teachers salary schedule. Spring Branch ISD
pays a salary of $45,050 to a 20-year veteran teacher who has a bachelor's degree.
Carroll ISD's base salary for a 20-year veteran is $44,943.
The use of incentive pay is increasing. Thirty-seven percent of all districts - and 75
percent of districts with enrollments greater than 10,000 - pay stipends in one or more
shortage areas as defined by the Texas Commissioner of Education. The subject area
and the average stipend paid are:
Technology applications, $2,541;
Bilingual education/English as a Second Language, $1,826;
Special education, $1,564;
Mathematics, $1,364;
Foreign languages, $1,353; and
Science, $1,275.
Seventy-five percent of districts with enrollments greater than 10,000 pay shortage stipends as well as stipends
for master's degrees. The average stipend for a master's degree in districts paying a standard amount is
$1,018.
Teachers also are able to increase the amount they are paid for agreeing to extra-curricular responsibilities
within their district. This additional pay varies depending on the assignment. For instance, in Spring Branch ISD
(Houston), a member of a campus advisory team can receive $1,000 while sponsors of various high school
organizations earn position pay ranging from $1,200 to $3,500.

that enuff facts for ya?