Across the States
Truant officer admits to erroneous visit
The Robertsons, a Home School Legal Defense Association member family in the Boone-Winnebago Regional School District, received an unexpected visit from a truant officer one morning in fall 2006.
The officer was concerned that the Robertsons’ child was not in school. Mr. Robertson explained that his child was homeschooled and that he had sent a letter of notification to the school only a month before. Indicating that he had not seen the letter, the officer remained suspicious and demanded to see the family’s curriculum.
Not sure what to do next, the Robertsons immediately contacted HSLDA.
HSLDA Senior Counsel Christopher Klicka instructed the family to tell the truant officer that their attorney would send him a letter verifying their homeschool status. Upon hearing this, the officer left the Robertsons’ home.
As promised, Klicka wrote to the truant officer the next day. His letter explained the family’s legal rights to home educate their children, outlined Illinois homeschool requirements, and verified that the family was meeting those requirements.
Soon after, the truant officer called Klicka, explaining that he had made his visit in error and he no longer needed to see the Robertsons’ curriculum. The family has not had any contact with the officer since that time.
— by Christopher J. Klicka
