| From the HSLDA E-lert Service: |
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| Date: From: Subject: | 8/17/2012 4:45:55 PM Peter Kamakawiwoole--HSLDA Vermont: Action Needed to Fight Commissioner's New Homeschool Policy |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== Vermont: Action Needed to Fight Commissioner's New Homeschool Policy Dear Vermont Members and Friends of HSLDA: You will recall that on July 23, the Vermont Commissioner of Education sent out a memorandum http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=15481 to homeschoolers, which would dramatically and unilaterally alter the homeschool enrollment process. HSLDA strongly opposes this new policy, which constitutes a blatant attempt to rewrite Vermont's homeschool notice requirements. Last week, HSLDA communicated its objections http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=15486 to the commissioner's office, which had also received a detailed open letter http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=15482 from homeschooling father and attorney Kevin Kite, explaining in great detail the legal deficiencies of the policy. Despite these overtures, the commissioner's response to HSLDA http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=15483 made it very clear that he has no intention of retracting his policy. Unfortunately, this response was not surprising, and HSLDA has been working tirelessly with homeschool leaders in Vermont to determine how best to convey our objections to this policy. The time has come to voice those objections. Your action is needed to send a strong message to the commissioner that his policy is inconsistent with Vermont's home study statute. The Vermont Department of Education is holding its regular monthly meeting this coming Tuesday, August 21. According to the published agenda http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=15484 for this meeting, which was just released this morning, the meeting will be held at Stowe High School Auditorium, starting at 9:15 a.m. I will be flying to Vermont next week to voice our objection to this policy, and strongly encourage you to attend as well. A strong showing by homeschoolers will show the board that there is serious opposition to the commissioner's new policy. Because we do not want to stonewall or sabotage the department's meeting, oral comments are not necessary at this time, but written comments can be submitted to the board. We are hoping that this initial appearance will result in additional forums with the commissioner, where your oral comments would be greatly desired. For more details about this event, and how you can voice your objections at this meeting, please see this message http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=15485 from Retta Dunlap. Please stand with us for homeschool freedom on August 21. BACKGROUND On July 23, the Vermont Commissioner of Education issued a memorandum to homeschoolers, laying out the Department of Education's new policy regarding homeschool enrollment notices. In particular, the policy implements a new "Labor Day" deadline for returning homeschoolers to submit their enrollment notices. Once this deadline passes, the department will only accept a homeschool notice for the current school year if the student has (1) moved into Vermont from out of state, (2) turned 6 during the school year, or (3) transferred into a homeschool from a Vermont public school, approved or recognized independent school, or other approved education program. Once March 1 arrives, the department will "no longer accept enrollment notices . . . for the school year in progress." No exceptions. HSLDA strongly opposes this new policy, which constitutes a blatant attempt to introduce requirements which are entirely foreign to Vermont's homeschool law. While this memorandum does not change Vermont's homeschooling law, it does have the potential to dramatically alter how the DOE handles homeschool notices in the future. The new policy implements strict, absolute deadlines for homeschoolers, which will open the door to the department to deny families the right to homeschool based solely on missing a "deadline." As long as this policy remains in force, families who wish to avoid any confrontation with the department should plan on submitting their homeschool enrollment notices no later than this coming Labor Day, September 3. Having said that, HSLDA strongly believes that this policy is inconsistent with Vermont's homeschool law, and usurps the legislature's sole prerogative to make law. Families who submit their paperwork after Labor Day should contact HSLDA immediately if they receive any resistance from the Department. ACTION REQUESTED 1. Plan to attend the upcoming meeting of the Vermont Board of Education on Tuesday, August 21, at 9:15 a.m. The meeting will be held at Stowe High School Auditorium, 413 Barrows Road, Stowe, VT. We anticipate that it will last until around 10:30 a.m., although that will depend on the number and extent of public comments. 2. Oral comments are not needed at this meeting, but written comments can be submitted to the Board. 3. If you are planning to attend, please email Retta Dunlap at mountainfoldvt@gmail.com. If you are unable to attend, please pray for the success of this meeting, specifically that our objections would be clear, well-made, well-received, and open up an opportunity to resolve this issue. Sincerely, Peter K. Kamakawiwoole, Jr. HSLDA Staff Attorney ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> Is customer service an art or a science? For us, good customer service is both an art and a science -it should appeal to our members and be effective. Consider what our members say about us: The freedom HSLDA allows me to have as I homeschool is wonderful! They handle the law and I get to dedicate the time to my daughter. - National City, CA HSLDA members since 1993, our membership is just as important to us as our children's curriculum. Thank you HSLDA for all you do on our behalf! - West Valley, NY More reasons to join HSLDA... http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=1941 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ====================================================================== 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. ====================================================================== | |
