| From the HSLDA E-lert Service: |
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| Date: From: Subject: | 3/15/2004 2:51:08 PM Home School Legal Defense Association New Jersey--Letters Needed--Cosmetology Board Postpones Decision |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== March 12, 2004 New Jersey--Letters Needed--Cosmetology Board Postpones Decision Dear HSLDA members and friends: On Tuesday, March 9, the New Jersey Cosmetology Board postponed a decision whether to allow homeschool graduate Laura Byrne to take the cosmetology examination she needs for her license. Sherrill Byrne, Laura's Mom, spoke to the Board for about twenty minutes and carefully explained the high school program that Laura had received. She even offered the Board four years worth of lesson plans. Although the Board certainly had enough information to decide on the spot to allow Laura to take the test, they postponed their decision. The Board indicated they would decide after she finishes cosmetology school (about April 15). Phone calls in support of Laura poured into the Cosmetology Board office so fast on Monday that the receptionist could barely answer them. The Board knows that thousand of homeschoolers across the state are watching! Action Requested: Please write a letter to the Cosmetology Board in support of Laura. Our E-lert of March 8 contains background information you may use in your letter. Letters to the Board before their next meeting in April will remind them that we are not dropping this issue. Mail your letter to: Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling, P.O. Box 45003, Newark, N.J. 07101, We are trying to establish contact with individual members of the Board. If you know any of them personally, or how to contact them individually, please let us know immediately. They are: Ms. Kathleen M. Alexander, Ms. Patricia Graffin, Mrs. Frances Gray, Mr. Peter Macri, Mr. Carlo Melini, Mrs. Rose Policastro, Mr. Joseph Santagata, Mr. Ronald J. Brown, Ms. Elaine C. Haroldson, and Ms. Lynn Rasiewicz Background: After graduating from high school in a homeschool setting last summer, Laura followed her dream and enrolled in a cosmetology school. Out of an abundance of caution, she asked the board that governs cosmetologists to confirm that her homeschool education would be satisfactory toward receiving a license to practice cosmetology. To her shock and dismay, Executive Director Richard Griswold told her she would have to get a GED. At the family's request, HSLDA stepped in to help this member family. Over the course of the next several months, HSLDA sent numerous letters to Griswold, and the Byrnes sent may documents to support their case: the diploma itself, a full high school transcript, letters of recommendation from her teachers in cosmetology school, a transcript of her cosmetology grades (which were excellent), and even letters from satisfied customers. Griswold was unmoved. He sent two more letters reiterating that the board would accept nothing less than a GED. HSLDA prepared a formal legal memorandum explaining in detail why the board should allow Laura to take the exam, and prepared affidavits from the family. On Monday, March 8, HSLDA asked members all across New Jersey to call cosmetology board members and ask them to treat Laura fairly. By the end of the day, a ray of light appeared. Griswold and his attorney placed a conference call to HSLDA attorney Scott Woodruff. They explained that no final decision had yet been made-or could be made, because Laura had not yet formally applied to take the exam. She could not, in fact, until after her graduation in April, he explained. Though he made no commitment, the general tone of the conversation was definitely more conciliatory than the previous correspondence. Only time will tell whether this is the light at the end of the tunnel or the flash before the door slams shut. Laura and her family are deeply grateful for all the homeschoolers across the state who have stepped in to help her in this moment of need. New Jersey law requires "successful completion of high school or its equivalent" in order to be licensed as a cosmetologist. Laura has met this requirement. Thank you for standing with us for freedom. Sincerely, Scott A. Woodruff, Esq. HSLDA Staff Attorney {{JoinAd}} ====================================================================== The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of: Home School Legal Defense Association P.O. 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If this is an invalid email address or you have other problems, please reply to webmaster@hslda.org. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER: This is considered a private and confidential message from HSLDA to its bonafide HSLDA E-lert Service subscribers. HSLDA cannot attest to the authenticity of copies posted, forwarded, or sent by any party other than HSLDA. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: Please do not reply or otherwise use this email address; hslda@hslda.org is for broadcast purposes only and is not intended to receive incoming messages. We cannot reply to any email sent to this address. If you have comments or questions, please send email to info@hslda.org or call HSLDA at 540-338-5600. HSLDA members can also email staff directly through the Members website at http://members.hslda.org/contact.asp. Thank you for your cooperation. ====================================================================== | |
