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See the follow-up letter of September 18, 2006

THSC Association Letter

to Canyon ISD

September 7, 2006

Ms. Angie Latta

Canyon ISD

508 16^th Street

Canyon, Texas 79015

Dear Ms. Latta,

…

I am writing in response to a contact by your school district of Ms. A______ H___, a member of our Association.  Ms. H___ gave written notice of the withdrawal of her children on August 10, 2006, via certified mail, which was signed for by officials of the schools attended by her children on August 14th.  

Ms. H___ was visited by two women at her home on September 6, 2006, between 3:30 and 4 p.m.  These women asked Ms. H___ if her children were at home and said they were there to check her curriculum, since the children had been withdrawn from school.   Ms. H___ responded by saying that, if they would submit their request to her in writing, she would respond.  The women then told her they could contact Child Protective Services (CPS) to investigate her and left. 

Ms. Latta, the state of Texas has determined that home schools are private schools and, as such, parents are not required to submit their curricula for review to public school officials.  Should district officials present a request to Ms. H___, she will be happy to respond in accordance with the letter by the commissioner of education dated April 2004, which I have enclosed for your review.   However, any action against Ms. H___ or her children because she is homeschooling could result in legal liability for the district and/or its employees.  Furthermore, CPS has no authority to enforce the compulsory attendance laws or review home schooling.  I have enclosed a memo from CPS for your review on that issue as well.  Finally, Ms. Latta, you and your employees should be aware that state law provides for prosecution of those who knowingly make false allegations to CPS; should district officials carry through on this threat, we will ask for prosecution of said officials.

Sincerely,

Tim Lambert

Enclosure: Commissioner Letter; CPS Memo

cc:  Ms. A______ H___; Mr. Kirk Kear, Principal, Canyon Jr. High; Mr. Paul Kimbrough, Principal, Canyon Intermediate; Mr. Mike Wartes, Superintendent Canyon ISD; Dr. Shirley J. Neeley, Commissioner of Education; Robert Scott, Chief Deputy Commissioner of Education; Mr. Carrey Cockerell, Commissioner DFPS; Ms. Joyce James, Asst. Commissioner CPS; State Senator Kel Seliger; State Representative John Smithee; SBOE Member Mr. Bob Craig; Texas home schoolers

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