| From the HSLDA E-lert Service: |
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| Date: From: Subject: | 2/2/2007 10:18:02 AM Home School Legal Defense Association South Dakota--Bogus Homeschool Complaints may Jump after Misleading Article |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== February 2, 2007 South Dakota--Bogus Homeschool Complaints May Jump after Misleading Article Dear HSLDA members and friends: Black Hills Today recently published a misleading online article that misconstrued homeschool law and may have confused families and officials and unintentionally encouraged bogus complaints against homeschool families. The article said: "Anyone, anywhere at anytime can alert the state office that schooling in a particular home might not meet state requirements. ... The state then typically asks a local authority to investigate..." The article was entitled: "South Dakota Home School Certificate Revoked: Aberdeen Family Looses [sic] Homeschool Certificate." The article implied that as soon as there is a complaint against a family, they can be subjected to an investigation. This is wrong. To protect families from harassment through bogus complaints, South Dakota law only permits the secretary of the Department of Education to investigate if there is probable cause. This means the complaint must be based on more than just a suspicion or anonymous tip. The secretary must give the family 14 days written notice. Finally, the only records the secretary can request are those pertaining to attendance and academic progress, not "curriculum," as the article erroneously stated (South Dakota Codified Laws 13-27-3 and 13-27-7). I spoke with Secretary Rick Melmer on January 23. I reminded him of what the law requires concerning investigations, and he confirmed that he understands the law and it is his policy to follow it. Unfortunately, the misleading Black Hills Today article may spur groundless complaints against homeschool families. HSLDA will insist that member families are protected from bogus reports to the full extent of the law. Sincerely Yours, Scott A. Woodruff ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> For as little as 27 cents a day... There's not much you can get for 27 cents a day. Why not put your money toward peace of mind for yourself, your family, and their future? More reasons to join HSLDA... http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=1110 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ====================================================================== The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of: Home School Legal Defense Association P.O. Box 3000 Purcellville, Virginia 20134 Phone: (540) 338-5600 Fax: (540) 338-2733 Email: info@hslda.org Web: http://www.hslda.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- How To Subscribe: - Subscribe to the HSLDA E-lert Service at our website: https://secure.hslda.org/hslda/elert/account.asp?Process=Subscribe - Or send an email with name and complete mailing address to: subscribe@hslda.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscription Information: - You subscribed to the HSLDA E-lert Service as: ##ToAddress## - To unsubscribe from the HSLDA E-lert Service send an email from the email address you want to unsubscribe to: unsubscribe@hslda.org - To change your email address or make other changes to your subscription, visit the HSLDA E-lert Service account web page at: https://secure.hslda.org/hslda/elert/account.asp ---------------------------------------------------------------------- POSTMASTERS: This message is being sent to the most recent address we have for our subscribers. 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. ====================================================================== | |
