BOSTON TEACHER'S AIDE FACES ABUSE CHARGES IN COURT

WHDH-TV
updated 12/16/2011 1:15:52 PM ET

DORCHESTER, Mass. -- A Boston teacher's aide accused of inappropriate behavior with an autistic student was in court on Friday.

LaShawn Hill, 33, had a probably cause hearing on Friday and the magistrate found that there was enough evidence to go forward with the arraignment.

Hill is accused of inappropriate behavior with a 14-year-old autistic, non-verbal student at the Harbor Pilot School in Dorchester earlier this week. Hill is only being charged with assaulting one child, but the District Attorney’s office said there could be more.

“A witness observed this defendant in a therapeutic classroom. His pants unbuttoned, the child’s pants unbuttoned as well,” said the prosecutor.

Allegations may not end there -- Boston school administrators are investigating whether Hill did the same thing at the King K-8 School, and if the school’s principal failed to report the suspected child abuse.

Hill has worked as a teacher’s aide for the past seven years at four different Dorchester schools.

“We’ve tried to treat this certainly as maybe not an isolated event. Obviously we would hope that it would be one, but I think that when things like this come up, we have to be aggressive and assume that if this person has been at other schools, that there may have been other children harmed,” said Carol Johnson, Superintendent of Boston Public Schools.

Hill’s cousin was in court on Friday to support him. She said Hill claims he was arrested and raped by his uncle as a child.

“We didn’t believe it, but he kept going around the uncle. Like I said, we don’t know. If he did, he should be punished but at the same time he’d need help. I don’t condone it,” said Hill’s cousin.

Hill is being held on $10,000 cash bail. If he does make bail he has to stay away from victims, witnesses and all Boston Public Schools.

PENN STATE SCANDEL: SENATORS DEMAND STRONGER CHILD ABUSE LAWS

LOS ANGELES TIMES
December 13, 2011 | 12:29pm



As Jerry Sandusky waived his right to a preliminary hearing in a Pennsylvania courtroom, Washington lawmakers Tuesday called for stronger child-abuse reporting laws. They made their demands at the first Capitol Hill hearing growing out of the Penn State scandal.

"This senator takes the position that no institution should ever be too big to report or too famous to report" child abuse "and no adult should ever feel that they’re protected because of the brand that they represent," said Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), chairwoman of the Senate health, education, labor and pensions subcommittee on children and families..."It is time to act to protect children nationwide,'' she said.

Thirty-two states do not require all adults to report suspected child abuse or neglect; instead, many states have in place a requirement that people with regular contact with children, such as healthcare providers and teachers, must report abuse.

Kennedy, who co-founded Respect Group Inc. to work to prevent child abuse, said that in child abuse cases, including his own, "there are people who had a gut feeling that something was wrong but didn’t do anything about it. Their attitude was, "I don’t want to get involved," "It’s not my problem," "He couldn’t possibly be doing that" or "the authorities will take care of it." "That’s what keeps child abusers in business," he told the committee.

The Senators and anyone that steps up to the plate to combat child abuse, efforts are greatly appreciated, but we must remember that even the strongest laws on the books are worthless, if the individuals with the power to prevent the abuse are also worthless. Child abuse will still happen if people are afraid to report it due to fear of retaliation. Along with the big institutions and the high positions, comes money and power. It is obvious from the Sandusky case that the money and power bought silence, because this happened over years, not days.

Many parents, school staff, advocates, and others who reported child abuse in schools by restraint, seclusion, and other atrocities were retaliated against by the same schools, agencies(including Department of Children, Youth, and Families), brain washed individuals, and the local police. So, although the laws may become more stringent, if not enforced by those with the power to enforce the laws, we only traveled in a circle and wasted taxpayor money. Those in power are the politicians, the police, judges, the prosecutors, the attorneys, the physicians, the social workers, the mental health counselors, psychologists, and so on. Once those in power can get pass the coverups and turning their heads to the abuse, then the laws may work. Until then, they only exist on the books and child abuse will continue. Remember in the Sandusky case, reports were made to prosecutors, police, etc., but nothing was done for years. Some fear retaliation and others just go along with the system and turn their heads.

Although, making everyone liable for reporting child abuse may seem like the answer, the greatest task will be getting authorities to enforce the laws against the school officials and others committing the crime. Remember, most of these people live together in the same town and may be friends, so coverups will lend its hand and play a major role in whether or not action is taken when a report is made against a school official, institution, etc.

It will be ineresting to see if this case will truly make a difference in how child abuse cases are handled when the abuser is a school official or institution.

PENN STATE: RAPE IS O.K. WHEN DONE BY A SCHOOL OFFICIAL

How Can This Happen?

One Can Understand the Penn State Sexual Abuse "On Children" Scandal, When One Can Understand That Money, Power, Fear, and Corruption Played A Major Role in The Coverup That Has Existed For several Years without intervention.

Jerry Sandusky, was accused of sexually abusing 8 boys over a 15 year period. The Former Penn State University assistant football coach was recently accused of molesting a child relative. Sandusky was arrested on November 5, 2011 for crimes committed from 1994-2009. Pennsylvania's attorney general has charged Sandusky with 40 counts of allegedly sexually abusing eight boys.

Tim Curley, Penn State Athletic Director and a University Vice President, Gary Schultz, resigned after being charged with failing to inform police of the allegations. Joe Paterno, head football coach and President Graham Spanier lost their jobs after the grand jury report surfaced. According to grand jury documents, a graduate assistant told Paterno in 2002 that he had seen Sandusky performing anal sex on a young boy in a football complex shower. Paterno informed Curley, who told Schultz, according to the grand jury report. (CNN WIRE STAFF 11/21/2011)

SWANSEA MALL ISSUED A NO TRESPASS ORDER AGAINST AN 11 YEAR OLD BOY W/ AUTISM, HIS FAMILY, & HIS SERVICE DOG

THE SWANSEA MALL DISCRIMINATED AGAINST AN 11 YEAR OLD BOY DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM, HIS FAMILY, AND SERVICE DOG BY ESCORTING THEM OUT OF THE MALL, FAILING TO PROVIDE ACCOMODATIONS, FAILURE TO PROVIDE SAFETY MEASURES, FAILING TO CONTROL THE MOB,AND ISSUING A NO TRESPASSING ORDER-

On Wednesday, August 17, 2011, the Jacobowitz family went to the Swansea Mall in Massachusetts, because their children were entered into a modeling contest. After the modeling event concluded, their son who is diagnosed with autism, did not want to leave the mall and began to tantrum. As Mr. Jacobowitz attempted to escort his son from the mall, along with his service dog, Herbie, a crowd gathered, accusing Mr. Jacobowitz of abducting a child and abusing his child. It important to note that Mr. Jacobowitz held his son under his arms and gently across his chest to safely transition him from the mall. A shopkeeper, approached Mr. Jacobowitz yelling and screaming, a man threatened to hit him with a newly purchased wrench from sears, and another man threatened physical harm to Mr. Jacobowitz. As he and his wife made it outside with their son and service dog, the angry mob followed them to the Mall’s parking lot. Several bystanders called the Swansea police. (See pics. aboe of couple harassing the family in the parking lot and calling the Swansea Police)

The family was harassed in the parking lot for about 10 minutes, Swansea security was nowhere to be found. The family was met by Rhode Island police officers upon arriving home, who performed a health and wellness check of the children and documented that the children were well and there were no signs of abuse. On Tuesday, 8/23/11, Mr. & Mrs. Jacobowitz returned to the Swansea Mall to make a return, the mall’s security officers did not approached them. Upon returning to the mall on Wednesday, 8/24/11, to return an item, they were approached by 2 Swansea Mall security officers- John Barreira and Nick Motta, who told them that we were trespassing and had to leave the mall based on the incident in which he abused his son a few days prior. The security officers told them to go to the security office to sign documents regarding trespassing, but never presented the documents. While making a purchase in a shoe store, Barreira and Motta were joined by Swansea Police officers Gary White and Sargent Lookee, Security supervisor, Debra Gagnon, and another man believed to be the director of mall security. They were escorted out of the mall with their service dog and told that if they returned, they would be arrested. Sargent Lookee told the Jacobowitzes that the no trespass applied to the Dollar tree, Price Rite, Toys R’ us, Walmart, and the entire Mall complex. They were told to contact Jason Huer of Carlyle Management. The Swansea Police asked Swansea Mall security why they did not place the Jacobowitzes under arrest on 8/23/11if the child was abused, the security officer replied that it was not quite abuse. Security was nowhere to be found on 8/23/11 while Mr. & Mrs. Jacobowitz escorted their son out of the mall and taunted by the crowd for more than 10 minutes. Not one bystander offered any assistance to the Jacobowitzes. They were banned from the entire Swansea Mall premises for 1 year. Assisting a child diagnosed with autism in transitioning from one area to another may not always look pretty, but sometimes is required to keep the child and others safe. Society still resists the sight of people with different abilities in places, such as, malls, theaters, and even churches. Although, many establishments are in violation of the American Disability Act and other laws affecting people that are differently abled, discrimination is still commonly practiced. Accomodations should be in place when a child has to be safely removed from an establishment, the parents should be assisted rather than threatened by the public and establishment.

Other citizens with physical and cognitive challenges have been humiliated, acosted, and threatened throughout the years by Swansea Mall Security Officers and the Mall's Management team who by no means are receptive to people that face different challenges. The following website shows the Mall's insensitivity:
The Traveling Wheelchair-http://thetravelingwheelchair.com/swansea-mall/;

Each year, several lawsuits are filed to bring awareness to the continued discrimination and failure to make appropriate accommodations. In the case of Maxson v. Abercrombie & Fitch, Molly Maxson, who was diagnosed with autism and 14 at the time, had been shopping for school clothes with her then-17-year-old sister at Abercrombie and Fitch's Bloomington store in August 2005. Her sister asked to accompany Molly into the fitting room, telling a store associate that her sister has a disability and cannot be left alone. The associate told the sister that corporate policy mandated that only one person be allowed in the fitting room at a time. He refused to let the sister accompany Molly, even when she provided information about the girl's disability. Abercrombie and Fitch lost its appeal in the disability discrimination case on Wednesday, several months after the retailer was fined $115,264. http://www.startribune.com/local/south/57918152.html?page=all&prepage=3&c=y#continue.

Anthony Pratti, a 7 year old autistic boy was thrown out of the movie theater at the Middletown Loew’s Cineplex at the Galleria Mall at Crystal Run in New York for laughing too loud.

In another case, Minnesota’s St. Joseph’s Catholic Church answered the question, “What would Jesus do?” They decided that Jesus would expel Adam Race, a 13year old boy diagnosed with autism from the congregation and legally ban him from entering the church. The church sent a strong message that the races would be arrested if they bought their autistic son to church. http://www.babble.com/CS/blogs/strollerderby/archive/2008/05/20/church-files-restraining-order-against-autistic-boy.aspx

We can only hope that societal views change to be more compassionate towards people with different abilities and that society becomes more willing to gain knowledge and challenge places like malls, movie theaters, churches, and others that discriminate.

If you have a comment, please forward it to the email address.

PARENTS 2.5 YEAR "COURT SENTENCE" FOR REFUSING TO ALLOW THE RESTRAINT OF THEIR 8 YEAR OLD SON, ENDED IN DISMISSAL BY JUDGE THOMAS KIRKMAN

JUDGE THOMAS KIRKMAN DISMISSED THE CASE AGAINST THE PARENTS AFTER A PRELIMINARY HEARING ON MARCH 24, 2011 AT NEW BEDFORD THIRD DISTRICT COURT IN MASSACHUSETTS.



Photo by John Sladewski/The Standard. Accompanying Story by Curt Brown- Dartmouth Superintendent Stephen Russell was "2010 Standard Times Man of the Year." Published December 24, 2010.

On October 17, 2008, Dartmouth Public School Superintendent Stephen Russell had contrived a scheme with staff of James M. Quinn Elementary School-Lorraine Granda, Wendy Weidenfeller, and Richard Porter; members of the Dartmouth Police Department- Captain Dennis McGuire, deputy police chief Gary Soares, officer Sean McGuire, and officer Kyle Costa;and the Department of Children and Families (DCF) case workers Nancy Amaral and Bonnie Arruda to get parents Pearl and Irwin Jacobowitz to leave the town of Dartmouth, Ma.

According to the complaint, Pearl and Irwin Jacobowitz were arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest on October 17, 2008. The parents were late picking up their children from school due to transportation issues with Dartmouth school department. The parents elected to transport their 8 year old son, diagnosed with autism, to his special needs program in Swansea, when the school department decided to restrain him on his school van, rather than provide an experienced one to one aide. Due to the lateness, Stephen Russell had the police and DCF called, alleging that the parents abandoned their children. DCF intake report indicates that upon the parents arrival at James M. Quinn Elementary School, New Bedford DCF decided that an ER response was not necessary. Officer Sean McGuire and Kyle Costa arrested the parents only after DCF refused to take custody of the Jacobowitz's children. A return call was made to DCF by Principal Granda, informing DCF that the parents were arrested, triggering DCF to take temporary custody of the children.

Dartmouth Police Officer Sean McGuire is the son of Dartmouth Police Captain Dennis McGuire, who served 32 years on the police force. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobowitz alleged that officers McGuire and Costa assaulted and abused them when they could not produce identification. According to DCF investigation report, Lt. Gary Soares stated, "This could have been avoided as if they had shown their identification and provided an address they would have left the school with their children." Sheriff records indicate that the Jacobowitz's did not possess identification. The Jacobowitz's alleged that they were videotaped at the school and during the booking at Dartmouth Police headquarters on October 17, 2008; the school's superintendent and Dartmouth police department both claim that in 2008, there was no videotape equipment ever used in the school, nor police department.

On March 24, 2011, the State's case against the Jacobowitz's was dismissed after more than 2.5 years. Attorney Stephen Dalrymple and Kristen Hammond represented the Jacobowitz's and the Bristol County District Attorney's office represented the Commonwealth of Ma. A preliminary hearing was held in which officers Sean McGuire and Kyle Costa testified. On March 23, 2011, all other witnesses were excused from testifying, to be resubpoenaed if the case proceeded to trial. School witnesses were not present at the courthouse, but was on stand by if needed for trial.

Based on officer McGuire's testimony that he and officer Costa were conducting a health and welfare check of the children on October 17, 2008 at the school, Judge Kirkman found that the officers had probable cause to conduct their investigation. Attorney's for the Jacobowitz's indicated that the state's evidence was too weak to proceed to trial. The District Attorney's Office did not want school personnel to testify at trial.

In closing, the District Attorney stated, "the Jacobowitz's allege conspiracy, conspiracy, conspiracy, amongst the school, police, and DCF"; asthough it is impossible. Attorney Kristen Hammond asked officer McGuire, "Is it a crime to pick up a child late from school?" "No", stated officer McGuire. "Did you ever once stop and ask Mrs. Jacobowitz what her concerns were about the school?" Officer McGuire responded, "No." Attorney Stephen Dalrymple, in closing, told Judge Kirkman, "Your honor, this is not Nazi Germany, where you demand to see someone's papers."

FAMOUS WORDS OF WISDOM FROM DARTMOUTH PUBLIC SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT STEPHEN RUSSELL

- "I think we all have to be careful not to jump to conclusions, based on limited information, rumor, and fear."

- "Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty?"

- "Federal and state laws guarantee all students a free and appropriate public education."

Pearl and Irwin Jacobowitz served a 2.5 year "court sentence", because they were judged guilty before being proven innocent, in order to protect the school district, police, and DCF. It is true that the law guarantees all students a free and appropriate public education, but the schools and government do not. The Jacobowitz's children were out of school more than 500 days due to a restraining order issued by Supt. Stephen Russell, preventing their parents from bringing them to school.

The Bristol County District Attorney's Office spent 2.5 years wasting taxpayer's hard earned money prosecuting parents who refused to restrain their 8 year old son on his minivan to school. Public money should never be used to support a "School's Abuse of Power", but to prosecute school officials who inappropriately restrain and abuse children.

Superintendent Russell, you are truly "Man of the Year."

A Civil Case is currently being discussed by the Parents and attorneys.

SENATOR SCOTT BROWN VISITS R.I.

U.S. SENATOR SCOTT BROWN EXPERIENCED ABUSE AS A CHILD,
HOW WILL HE PROTECT OUR NATIONS CHILDREN FROM ABUSE TODAY?



Irwin and Dakota Jacobowitz visiting with U.S. Senator Scott Brown.

On March 5, 2011, U.S. Senator Scott Brown visited Rhode Island to promote his book,
"Against All Odds." Sen. Brown was elected on January 19, 2010 by the people of Massachusetts, to fill the term of the late senator Ted Kennedy. He lives in Wrentham, Massachusetts, with his wife, Gail, and their two daughters, Ayala and Ariana.

Senator Brown's book, "Against All Odds", is an example of resilience and redemption. He tells the story of his difficult, nomadic childhood with a life contrived of alcohol, anger, and violence. He discusses being fondled by a camp counselor when he was 10 years old. Senator Brown did not believe that his greatest win occurred on January 19, 2010 when he captured the U.S. Senate seat held by former U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy for nearly 50 years, but when he survived a savage beating by his drunk stepfather when he was six years old, while trying to protect his mother.

Looking at his life in retrospect, Sen. Brown said, "I can honestly say that there isn't one thing that I would change: not the arrest, not the violence, not the hunger, not the beatings and the brute struggles. I wouldn't change any of it, because those years and that life made me the man I am today."

At the book signing, Senator Scott Brown did not speak much about how he plan to use his past experiences to address the issues of child abuse in our nation today an dhis views on the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act. RI families Against Restraint will meet with U.S. Senator Brown in the near future to discuss these important issues plaguing our nation's children.

UPDATE! NEW BEDFORD TRIAL RESCHEDULED! NEW DATE- MARCH 23, 2011. COME OUT AND VOICE YOUR OPINION!

PARENTS AWAITING TRIAL FOR 3 YEARS, FOR REFUSING TO RESTRAIN SON!

Parents refused to allow their son, diagnosed with autism, to be restrained on a school van as a first resort. The Dartmouth Public School Department failed to provide an experienced aide to accompany the child to school, because it cost $. After the parents complained to the Bureau of special Education (BSEA) and the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) in Boston, MA., the school's superintendant, Stephen Russell, had the parents arrested on false charges-resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, in front of their children and school staff. To date, Dartmouth's Personnel- Superintendent Stephen Russell, Special Education Director Linda Maniglia, Principal Lorraine Granda, Vice principal Richard Porter III, Wendy Weidenfeller- has not spoken about the incident, but were subpoenaed by the defense to testify in the case on March 23, 2011.

The trial was ready to go on February 24, 2011, but calls started to pour into the Bristol County District Attorney's Office and attorneys Kristine Hammond's and Stephen Dalrymple's offices (attorneys for the Parents)from the State's witnesses (Dartmouth Public School employees). The witnesses stated that they were on vacation and would not be in court on February 24, 2011. The case was rescheduled on several occasions before due to the State's witnesses not being able to appear, because they had to run a school. The defense will seek warrants if state witnesses do not appear for trial on March 23, 2011.

It is important to preserve a Parent's right to say "NO" to restraints, Seclusion, and Abuse.

Advocacy groups, Opponents of unneccesary and inappropriate use of restraints and seclusion, Parents, grandparents, concerned individuals will voice their opinion about the use of restraints, seclusion, and abuse in our schools outside the court house on March 23,2011.Posters and Pictures of children restrained and abused will be displayed. Pictures of children that died due to restraints and abuse in schools will also be displayed.

COME OUT ON MARCH 23, 2011 TO THE THIRD DISTRICT COURT HOUSE IN NEW BEDFORD, MA.- Show your support, Voice your opinion, Remember the children that died, and Help prevent more children from dying.

SCHOOL LOBBIED TO STOP ELECTRIC SHOCK BAN

Canton facility spent $100,000 on effort



One of two video monitoring rooms at the Judge Rotenberg Center in Canton. Live camera feeds throughout the facility can be viewed, including activity in restrooms. (John Tlumacki/ Globe Staff/ File)

By Donovan Slack

Globe Staff / February 28, 2011

WASHINGTON — The Judge Rotenberg Educational Center, a special-needs school in Canton that disciplines students with electric shocks, used a sophisticated lobbying campaign in Congress last year to help defeat a ban of its controversial techniques, according to recently released public documents.

Although the center declined to discuss its strategy for 2011, the legislative battle is expected to be rekindled this year.

The center, the only school in the country that uses electric shocks to modify behavior, launched its Capitol Hill campaign after the House approved a measure last year outlawing the use of restraints and some other devices to control students. The bill did not explicitly reference shock devices, but lawmakers said the ban would have applied to the Judge Rotenberg Center’s practices.

Critics say the electric shocks — which are the subject of ongoing state and federal investigations — are inhumane. But school officials and parents say they are necessary, a last resort to prevent severely disabled children and teens from harming themselves or others.

The center paid $100,000 last year to a law firm headed by former GOP presidential candidate Rudolph Giuliani in a successful effort to help stifle the measure in the Senate, according to 2010 lobbying disclosure records released in January. The bill died in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.

As part of the campaign, it transported parents and students to the Capitol to argue the point in private meetings with senators and staff. The parents told lawmakers that their children would be dead or institutionalized without the center and its unorthodox methods, said Edward D. Krenik, a top Washington lobbyist who led the campaign. “They have a pretty powerful story,’’ he said. “There were folks that were visibly moved.’’

(See Story section for full story)

IF SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE THE MONEY TO BUILD SECLUSION ROOMS, THEY SHOULD HAVE THE MONEY TO BUILD COMFORT OR SENSORY ROOMS

The practice of restraint and seclusion presents a very serious health and safety risk to all students, and is most often used to control behavior of young students with disabilities and noncompliance issues. Restraints should only be used as a very last resort and when behavior poses an imminent danger and substantial risk of physical injury to the student or others. Protections for students are long overdue. Each day we delay, school children are traumatized, injured, and killed.

Seclusion/Solitary Confinement should NEVER be used on children with disabilities. If School Districts have the money to build seclusion rooms, they should have the money to build comfort or sensory rooms to help our children when they become overwhelmed. Our children are not criminals and do not deserve to be locked up in seclusion/solitary confinement rooms.

APRAIS plans to hire experienced federal education legislation to help educate Congressional members and work toward passage of a strong bill. Please help "Families Against Restraint and Seclusion" by supporting our cause to stop restraint, seclusion and aversive treatments used on our children by making a contribution of $10 (or more if you can). TASH will act as the fiscal agent, and donations can be made out to "TASH" for "Restraint and Seclusion Advocacy" at http://www.tash.org/index.html (Go to the top right side of the screen for information). Please identify yourself as a parent advocate (next to your name) when making your donation.

PLEASE help stop the unnecessary use of restraint and seclusion used on our children with disabilities in the public school system by supporting our cause. Our children are counting on us to keep them safe.

Please email us back if you have any questions or concerns and please pass this on to other parent advocates and others who would like to support this cause.

Regards,

Rhode Island Families Against Restraint and Seclusion
http://RIfamiliesagainstrestraintandseclusion.blogspot.com/

SOMETIMES A VIDEO SAYS IT ALL!

FAMILIES OF THE CHILDREN, THE HEROES, WHOSE LIVES FELL SHORT, WHOSE LIVES WERE FILLED WITH PAIN BY RESTRAINT, SECLUSION, AND ABUSE TELL THEIR STORIES

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnTHmjpaT1s

(See M.A.D section for direct link to site)

AKRON MOM, PENNSYLVANIA DAD, JAILED FOR 10 DAYS FOR WANTING A BETTER EDUCATION FOR THEIR CHILDREN- Parents Learn That Wanting A Quality Education Cost

American Courts Are Sending The Wrong Message About Disparity In The United States Education System- “SEPARATE AND UNEQUAL” is O.K.

Let’s take a step back in time to remember the infamous case “Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka”, now let’s fast forward to the present, the cases of Summit County v. Kelley Williams-Bolar and The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Irwin Jacobowitz.

Outrage pours out over courts, schools, administrators, and educators punishment of parents who seek a better quality education for their children. No longer is race the leading factor separating children from a quality education, it is their parent’s financial status, parent’s tax bracket, the neighborhood in which they live, and who they know. Don’t jail the parents for wanting a better education for their children, jail school officials for not providing one-“POOR CHILD LEFT BEHIND.”

Many in affluent neighborhoods may applaud the latest Summit County court decision, but overall the lack of education or a poor quality education for our youngest citizens in our country destroys the economy. Summit County Judge, Patricia Cosgrove, sentenced Akron mom, Kelley Williams-Bolar, to 10 days in jail on felony charges after she was convicted by a jury and sentenced to 5 years in prison (two terms). Ms. Williams-Bolar was convicted on record tampering so that her children could attend Copley-Fairlawn Schools. The Copley-Fairlawn School district maintained that the mom lied on affidavits by swearing that her two children lived at her father’s address. Her father lived in the school district and paid school taxes. The district spent $6,000. of tax payer dollars for a private investigator to follow Ms. Williams-Bolar.

Dad, Irwin Jacobowitz, is too familiar with Ms. Williams-Bolar’s situation, he too was sentenced to 10 days in jail in Chester County Pennsylvania in 2007. Mr. Jacobowitz was thrown in prison in Pennsylvania for 10 days for advocating for his son, diagnosed with autism, to receive an appropriate education without being restrained in school. After serving the 10 days in prison, Mr. Jacobowitz was marched into court with shackles on his ankles and wrists, in front of school officials, his wife, and three children aged 8, 6, and 4.

In response to America’s failing schools, the American public has expressed its’ discontent for legal cases that punishes parents who advocate for a better quality of education for their children. Education reform centers on the existence of better quality schools. On January 25, 2011, President Obama spoke about restoring the nation’s schools to a position of prominence and excellence. How long can our children wait?