Longview Times

Parents have legal rights they can exercise with local schools and at local school board meetings. Indeed, parental rights in the state of Texas are quite extensive. For example, did you know according to Texas law, “A parent is entitled to remove the parent’s child temporarily from a class or other school activity that conflicts with the parent’s religious or moral beliefs if the parent presents or delivers to the teacher of the parent’s child a written statement authorizing the removal of the child from the class or other school activity.” Here is yet another example of Texas law regarding parental rights:

(a) Parents are partners with educators, administrators, and school district boards of trustees in their children’s education. Parents shall be encouraged to actively participate in creating and implementing educational programs for their children.

(b) The rights listed in this chapter are not exclusive. This chapter does not limit a parent’s rights under other law.

(c) Unless otherwise provided by law, a board of trustees, administrator, educator, or other person may not limit parental rights.

(d) Each board of trustees shall provide for procedures to consider complaints that a parent’s right has been denied.

(e) Each board of trustees shall cooperate in the establishment of ongoing operations of at least one parent-teacher organization at each school in the district to promote parental involvement in school activities.

Most parents do not know about their legal rights, simply because no one has ever mentioned the subject. It just does not get mentioned as part of an education, nor is the subject a part of everyday conversation; members of school boards may not even be aware of parental rights. There are some on Texas school boards who do not want parents expressing their opposition to critical race theory and other controversial issues that have been made public recently, thus these elected personnel are doing their best to stifle parents’ voices at meetings. Parents need to know their legal rights and assert them. A source for your rights in Texas can be found at https://txparentsunion.org/resources/parents-bill-of-rights/

Just remember when attending school board meetings, for example, to be civil – firm when necessary, but civil. Not all school board personnel have nefarious motives, but today there are those who do. There is nothing more they would like to do than to get parents rattled, have them lose control, and have them escorted out of the meeting by police. Staying calm if and when the name-calling starts, or when you are told you are wrong – or whatever resistance is expressed – is more likely going to get them rattled. Asserting your rights and staying calm is the best defense against the people who are forcing students to learn CRT and LGBTQ issues, and setting up non-gender bathrooms, etc.

Winning back our country starts with winning back control of our local government. Furthermore, while this article deals with Texas schools and school boards, Washington, D.C. dictates the direction of all states in regard to education. That is why we absolutely need an Article V Convention of States! A term limits amendment, balanced budget amendment, and additional amendments to the US Constitution will positively limit the power of the federal government – the way the founders intended. See https://conventionofstates.com/ for additional information.

David Temple is a life-long resident of Texas and a veteran automotive journalist and photographer specializing in the vintage car hobby. His work has appeared in Car Collector, Cars & Parts, Collectible Automobile, and other magazines over the past 35 years and is the author of five books including 'Chevrolets of the 1950s: A Decade of Technical Innovation'.