The Observation Deck

Shawn Juris wrote:I

I'm a bit curious as well, of those that are hopping the so called fence to come to Lakewood schools and using bogus addresses to do so, if they are "truant" wouldn't it be an easy point in time to just drop them from the school? Seems strange that someone would go through the trouble just to not go to class but if they want to pop up on the radar then do a bit of research and if they're residency doesn't check out then give 'em the boot. It's always amazed me at how lax schools are in their admissions process that they get into a situation where non-resident students are taking up space in their classrooms. It's one thing that our funding mechanism for the schools is screwed up but it's that much worse that property taxes are paying for students who shouldn't even be there.

The truant students and those youths attending Lakewood Public Schools who don't actually live in Lakewood, are really two different issues.

Those 'illegal' students we have known or heard about, have often staying with a alleged relative of some kind, or they rent a small cheap apartment just for the use as the address in Lakewood.

I can't help but wonder though, that the trancy issue is seems to me to be racially driven. As was IMO the 'pit bull' ban and removal of outdoor basketball courts.

I am bringing this topic back as there is a Public Safety Committee meeting on Tuesday January 13th at 6:00 pm. I plan on attending to let the committee know how I feel about this proposed ordinance. This may be your last time to let council know how you feel before the council votes.

One may approve or disapprove of tightening up laws concerning dangerous animals and truancy, whose agents may or may not bear particular skin pigmentation. However, I believe conflating race with the ‘broken-windows behaviors, criminal nuisance, drug dealing and neighborhood disorder such laws attempt to curb confuses the means and matter of community law and order with categories, claims, issues and signs of identity.

Kenneth Warren

Carl Schneider wrote:I am bringing this topic back as there is a Public Safety Committee meeting on Tuesday January 13th at 6:00 pm. I plan on attending to let the committee know how I feel about this proposed ordinance. This may be your last time to let council know how you feel before the council votes.

I can't attend because I have a prior commitment. If anyone from the committee is ready this: I fully support the proposed changes. This is one of those issues that are not really debatable. I see nothing wrong with expecting school age children to been in school during school hours and others see nothing wrong with school age children walking the streets during school hours.

The real racisim is assuming that the truant children are black.

The nail that sticks up will be hammered down!

Bill Call wrote:
The real racisim is assuming that the truant children are black.

The nail that sticks up will be hammered down!

Bill,

I think you need to be careful with your comments. I find them very offensive. I have a racially diverse family. I am very sensative to the whole issue. I hear alot of nasty things said about Lakewood and Lakewood High School concerning the color of the skin of some of our residents and students. I am blown away at how predjudice some people can be.

Perhaps this whole racial issue can be discussed under another thread. I can give you many a story from my boys who are treated one way when they are with their African American counsins and friends only to find they are treated completely different when they are with cousins and friends who have their same skin color.

I am not against the truancy law at all. Where have you read or heard of others who do not want children in school?

My concern is for the students at LHS who:

1.)Have early dismissal or late arrival.
2.)Who arrive late or leave early to attend Tri-C or Cleveland State for college courses.
3.)Those students released early for work.

What about home schooled students?

Those who atttend a local private high school who may have a day off or early dismissal?

Those students leaving for appointments?

From what I have read and heard, the majority of the Lakewood students who are truant attend Lakewood City Academy(LCA). Is there talk of lengthening their school day so that they do not get out so much earlier that those students attending LHS?

The real racisim is assuming that the truant children are black.

The nail that sticks up will be hammered down!

Bill,

I think you need to be careful with your comments. I find them very offensive.

or do I have the wrong quote from Bill? Thanks...

They need to make it easier for kids to drop out, or expel them.

Truancy should only be a crime if the penalty for that crime is to be beaten on the calf muscles with a cane. but only if the truant deserves it. Like if they're hanging out in public and listening to rap music. These things need to be judged in context.

I received an email today and it contains a letter from December regarding the daytime truancy law. I have been concerned about home schooled students and I assumed that they would be exempted but reading what the city sent out there is no home school exemption. If I am missing it can someone please let me know. And I wonder how the officer will decide which minors to approach. I know that I looked like I was in my teens until I was in my 20's as do many people. So is the officer going to just go around stop anyone that might me a teen? Anyhow this is the letter I am referring to.

The ordinance provides for certain exceptions to the curfew to permit a minor to attend legitimate appointments or work study programs. The curfew does not apply to a minor who:
Has written proof from school authorities that he or she is excused from school attendance for that particular time;
Is accompanied by his or her parent, legal guardian or other responsible adult selected by the parent or guardian to supervise the minor;
Is participating in an approved work-study program;
Is on an emergency errand or conducting some other legitimate business.

Danielle, homeschooled students do receive a letter from the superintendent of schools excusing them from compulsory attendance. When my daughters are of the age that they're venturing off of our street by themselves during the day, they'll be armed with a copy of their letter. That should be sufficient.

Thanks for letting me know that Brian. Hopefully your girls and Lakewood's other students remember to keep their letters with them. And I imagine that the officer will have a list to double check. I don't know but the whole thing seems a bit like overkill to me. I grew up in a huge city and we never had a daytime curfew.

My children are homeschooled too. My wife and I value the education of our children so much that we take sole responsibility to provide a quality and comprehensive education. Yes, I can send my kids around town with a copy of the excuse letter, but why? What happens when our friends visit from out of town? My kids will have an excuse letter, but not our friends. Those of us who are obeying the law would have an additional burden of proof that we are in fact obeying the law. The consequence of truancy should be born by those that are truant, not by others that are not. [/quote]