Date filed: December 2008

Nature of Case: The Fillman* family surprisingly received two criminal charges two weeks after they withdrew their grandson from the local public school because of his recurring medical problems. Although the family had submitted doctor’s excuses for each day the boy had missed school and also turned in a comprehensive withdrawal letter, the Burleson Independent School District referred the family to court for truancy. HSLDA Attorney Chris Klicka drafted a letter to the Justice of the Peace Jeff Monk which explained how the Fillman family were in full compliance with Texas law-both in withdrawing and homeschooling their grandson. Klicka provided Judge Monk with a memorandum outlining Texas homeschool law and documentation from the family, including a letter from the family pediatrician regarding the absences. When the Fillmans appeared before Judge Monk, he expressed his appreciation for HSLDA’s information, stating that the school district had failed to provide him with the doctor's note and withdrawal letter. Judge Monk dismissed the case, agreeing with HSLDA that the case should have never come to him.

Status: Dismissed

Last Updated: December 15, 2008

* Name changed to protect the family’s privacy