I went to the meeting fully prepared and relaxed to talk about the school uniform policy. I went there armed with PTA procedures and assurances from more than a dozen present and former PTA presidents and officers from around the country that to whom I’ve spoken – not with guns, knives, ninja throwing stars, or other weapons.

The PTA (Proletariat Totalitarian Association?) of Williams Middle School is completely out of control. Behold the actions of PTA President Angela Thomas (her name is public knowledge on the school PTA website) and her minions. (Note: This video was taken overtly of a public meeting. The camera was trained on the podium where public officials were speaking. This video is not being used for profit or personal gain and is, therefore, in the public domain. If you have a problem with it, speak to my lawyer, not my employer!)

Now, I was not allowed to speak – again! As a matter of fact, I was harassed the entire evening by the school’s thugs in arms. As soon as I walked through the door, I noticed a contingent of five security guards and a uniformed police officer congregating in the back. Thomas pointed me out to the gaggle who then spread out around the cafeteria to keep a watchful eye on the “mean, evil, angry, trouble-making, menacing threat” that is CJ when he disagrees with the school administration. I wasn’t initially against school uniforms. However, throughout this entire process of totalitarianism by Principal Avis Williams and the overreaching of authority by the PTA President, I’ve done a LOT of research.

When I’m challenged, I don’t take a half-hearted approach to it. I expend a great amount of energy to ensure I’m on the right side of an argument. Part of my research has gone into the whole uniform issue individually and collectively. I read through EXTREMELY boring academia studies that talked about “stratified samplings,” variables, and controls. I read countless news articles and some published university debates. I read laws, laws, and more laws. I reread the US Constitution and Declaration of Independence, which is poetry in my mind. I examined the merits of what we’re being told is the reason we MUST have uniforms to save our children. Finally, I read numerous court cases related to school uniforms from many different angles. This research has netted me a wealth of information and fundamentally changed my perspective on uniforms. Naturally, the PTA under the incompetent tutelage of Ms. Thomas is afraid to hear any facts related so her socialist cause of instituting uniforms.

There are some that believe this issue of school uniforms is not a PTA issue. The purpose of the PTA as stated in our specific bylaws is to “bring into closer relation the home and the school, that parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education of children and youth.” This goal is promoted through, again quoting the bylaws, “an advocacy and educational program directed toward parents, teachers, and the general public; developed through conferences, committees, projects and programs.”

It is the POLICY of this association to “work with the schools and community,” to “seek to participate in the decision-making process establishing school policy,” and to “promote collaboration between parents, school and the community at large.” These are our bylaws, so unless this body as a whole votes to amend them, it is the FUNCTION of the PTA to have a role in the school uniform policy. But, I wasn’t allowed to make this argument. I wasn’t even allowed to make my own motion on the floor as required by Robert’s Rules of Order (see video below).

Huntsville City Schools Policy #102-8 specifically states:

“The Board of Education supports the development, implementation, and regular evaluation of a program in each school, which will involve parents and the community at all grade levels in a variety of roles. They will include, but not be limited to, the following components of successful parent and community activities as presented in the PTA National Standards for Parent/Family Involvement Programs:

1) Inclusion of parents and community as partners in the decisions that affect children and families;
2) Recognition that parents play an integral role in assisting students’ learning;
3) Parents and the community are welcome in the school, and their active support and assistance are sought;
4) Family and school communications is two-way, regular, meaningful and respectful of diversity.”

A University of Notre Dame study on this subject belies the claims that uniforms improve discipline: “Our findings indicate that student uniforms have no direct effect on . . . behavioral problems.” Alarmingly, in many middle schools (like in Miami-Dade County for example), where uniforms were mandatory, fights nearly doubled over a four-year period from 186 in 1996-97 to 284 in 1997-98.

Earlier this month, 16 year old Derrion Albert of Chicago, Illinois, was struck in the head by a board during a melee involving two rival gangs at a local school. That school has a mandatory uniform policy. Students could be seen beating Derrion to death on a cell phone camera looking spiffy in their khaki pants and black, collared polos. I warn you, the video is disturbing to watch if you decide to click on the link.

In the first uniform meeting at Williams Middle School, we were told that school uniforms promote school spirit, good self-image, and school unity. In 1997, the Board of Education ruled that “the findings…do not support the claim that school uniforms have a positive effect of students’ self-esteem.” As a matter of fact, one person’s pride is another person’s scorn! Kids have pride in clothing that THEY choose to wear, not what’s chosen for them. Pride and self-esteem come from positive role models at home, school, and the community – not a uniform. Pride comes from an adherence to strict standards and swift punishment for those violating it. Pride comes from making the right choices VOLUNTARILY, not because they are forced upon you.

We were told that a school uniform policy is cheaper than the current policy of allowing kids and parents the right to dress themselves. That claim is simply absurd. No longer will parents be able to use or purchase hand-me-downs. Grandparents, aunts, and uncles will no longer be able to send little Johnny clothes for a birthday or Christmas to help offset the cost of clothing for parents. Parents who could not afford brand names to begin with and purchased clothing from thrift stores will now pay MORE for their child’s clothing. We weren’t allowed to ask about a buy-back or uniform recycling program for the school. Now instead of just buying clothes for the school year, kids would be forced to purchase uniforms AND clothing for after school and weekends, effectively doubling the cost of clothes for families. Instead of only having to wash one set of clothes daily, we will have to wash two – a school uniform and after school clothes – thus increasing our utility costs. Beginning next year, if your child isn’t wearing a uniform at Williams Middle School they will be placed in in-school suspension!

A grandmother in Dallas couldn’t afford to buy clothing for her grandchild who was staying with her and the clothing that the local charity could provide didn’t adhere to their policy and didn’t fit so the child spent months in in-school suspension isolated from others because of the heinous crime of wearing clothing that, while perfectly acceptable attire within our society, did not meet the arbitrary mandates set down by a few, or in this case, one principal.

Vouchers were mentioned as the solution to alleviating some costs. However, in order to use those $50 vouchers (only one per student), they must be spent at the most expensive option for purchasing school uniforms – the preferred vender, Educational Outfitters. They are not valid at Wal-Mart, Target, thrift stores, or other cheaper locations. And if you use the vouchers at the expensive vendor, then you must return those uniforms if your child is an eighth grader or not returning next school year without compensation. Uniforms YOU paid for will have to be turned in up to the $50 cost. So, if you use the voucher to purchase a $40 skirt and a $20 shirt, you must return both even though you spent $10 of your own money on the shirt.

The vouchers come from a generous donation from Breland Homes here in Huntsville. I am tremendously thankful to them for donating $10,000 to the school. It’s important and encouraging to know that in today’s economic climate, there are still businesses dedicated to our children’s education. My question is, who made the decision that this money would be better suited to pay for unneeded uniforms instead of much-needed school supplies for our teachers and classrooms? The Principal herself said that the school can’t even afford to do a paper survey of parents because pro-ration has left $0 for school supplies (see second video). Emily and I have spent literally hundreds of dollars assisting our kids’ teachers with things like ink, paper, and other supplies. Thanks to proration, our classes didn’t receive a dime this year for class supplies. Where was the PTA on this issue? Why wasn’t the PTA insisting that this $10,000 go to our kids’ classrooms?

At the meeting, I wanted to debate the topic of an opt-out clause. You heard them tell me that I am not allowed to debate this issue at a PTA, probably because I’m only part of the proletariat, not the totalitarian side. This PTA seems to think that the sole purpose of the the organization is to be the fundraising arm of the school system and that’s simply not right. The PTA DOES play a vital role in supplementing funds for schools, but their main role is to be a partner in education between the schools, students, and parents. Even though this policy doesn’t go into effect until next year, the decision was made THIS year. Principal Williams herself said there will be no opt-out clause next year.

Loren Siegel, director of public education for the American Civil Liberties Union, cautions schools against omitting an opt-out provision from uniform policies:

“For a public school uniform policy to be legal, it has to have an opt-out provision. Every child in this country has the right to a public school education, and that right cannot be conditioned upon compliance with a uniform policy. Some parents and children will have religious objections to uniforms. Others won’t want to participate for aesthetic reasons.”

In 1996, the Clinton Administration – largely responsible for the widespread implementation of uniforms throughout the U.S. – issued a “Manual on School Uniforms.” That manual states quite plainly that “parental support of a uniform policy is critical for success.” It goes on to state that “a mandatory school uniform policy without an opt-out provision could be vulnerable to legal challenge.” Studies show that uniform policies that are voluntary or have a parental consent opt-out do well to address the concerns that led to this decision. We weren’t allowed to ask these questions and were definitely weren’t involved.

Federal law contained within the US Code, Title 20 specifically states that “parents have the primary responsibility for the education of their children, and States, localities, and private institutions have the primary responsibility for supporting that parental role.” (emphasis mine)

What the school doesn’t know is that the United States District Court in Bannister vs. Paradis ruled on the whole school uniform issue. What they ruled is that “a person’s right to wear clothes of his own choosing provided that, in the case of a schoolboy, they are neat and clean is a constitutional right protected and guaranteed by the fourteenth amendment” due process clause of the Constitution.

In Hicks vs. the Halifax County Board of Education, the court ruled that the “adoption and implementation of a school uniform policy infringed upon and violated the free exercise of…religion and…due process right as a parent.” The court also affirmed that “the constitutional right to direct the upbringing of one’s children is grounded in the Due Process Clause.” The Due Process Clause guarantees more than fair process, and the “liberty” it protects includes more than the absence of physical restraint. The Clause also provided heightened protection against government interference with certain fundamental rights and liberty interests. The courts have ruled that the liberty specially protected “includes the right to direct the education and upbringing of one’s children” is held by parents, not educators.

I know what the staff at Williams Middle School are thinking as they read this: “I’ve heard of this, so called, Constitution. Didn’t we abolish that long ago?” After all, aren’t the schools responsible for dictating every aspect of our children’s lives until parents are deemed “worthy” by the school to continue their upbringing? They think we work for them and not the other way around. Unfortunately, many parents have practically given up their right as parents by failing to be involved in their child’s education. To too many parents, school is just “free” daycare.

These are MY children, not the state’s. It doesn’t take a village to raise a child, it takes a parent. It takes active parents engaged in parenting. The school district is just who we outsource them to for a few hours a day because we’re working. The school, as an extension of the state, will not tell me how to raise my child…will not tell me what values he or she should enjoy…will not tell me who my child will become and what he or she will think. They will make those decisions as adult for themselves, but the inputs that get them to that point will be based on me and my wife because we are the parents. I believe in an order of things in the world where parents make those decisions and not public schools. Parents existed before the schools. Schools are a creation of the parents. Schools can go away tomorrow. The schools are only a function as long as we let them be. This isn’t Stalinist Russia or Nazi Germany. Last time I checked, public officials are still subordinate to the people.

However, the PTA issue is an entirely different matter. Feel free to express your opinions on my treatment by Williams Middle School PTA President Angela Thomas and Huntsville City Council President Melinda Satcher-Ewing (the woman in red that stands in front of me most of the time in the video) to the State PTA board. Based on my treatment and that of other parents, I don’t think either of these individuals should be allowed to have ANY role in any aspect of the PTA organization. But, you make your own conclusions based on what you see in the videos below. Don’t take my word for it. The first video ends with my voluntary departure and the second one picks up just before that. Again, it is the POLICY of the PTA to “work with the schools AND community to provide quality education for all children and youth and shall seek to participate in the decision-making process establishing school policy.”

Again, please do not contact the school officials if you have a mind to, I have that more than covered and the Army is helping in that respect. The PTA issue MUST be resolved. I can’t comment on the security guard that assaulted Emily as it’s a legal matter now that I’m pursuing. Emily and I have pulled our kids out of the school district for good and we’re moving them to live with their grandparents in another state at great cost to us (along with help from some of you). Other parents are looking into their options to remove their children as well. I still have not heard ANYTHING from the school system on any of my formal complaints against members of the faculty and the principal herself that we submitted weeks ago.

As of this past Monday, they were still calling the Army with false accusations about my alleged use of government computers to spread these videos. I’ve learned from sources close to Ms. Thomas that she is trying to organize a concerted campaign against me and encouraging people to lie to Army officials to get me in trouble. This is from a supposed veteran!

[NOTE: The videos have been removed by order of my chain of command.]