DeMarCaTionVille

A group of approximately six parents, with a few occasional drop-ins, picketed outside Hawkins Elementary School to protest the fact that 4th grade science teacher, Veleka Setsor, is still in the classroom.   (More photos here)

Setsor was charged last week with aggravated assault following an argument with her 18-year old daughter.  The Hawkins County school system, in compliance with Tennessee state law, is conducting an investigation into the matter.   Until the issue is resolved, an aide has been placed in the classroom with Setsor.

The small protest, however, is making big news.  A WJHL camera man was on-scene earlier.  According to one parent, WYCB has also agreed to cover the event. Joel Spears from the Rogersville Review was on hand with his camera.  And Jeff Bobo at the Times-News had a lengthy piece online this morning, although I think the reference to HC Maintenance Supervisor Ralph Hurd, is out of place.  (Typically, maintenance supervisors are not protected by state tenure laws.)

I was asked outright by the parents if I approved of the protest.  I don’t.  I appreciate what they’re doing and understand they have every right to do it; however, it is my opinion that they are aiming their frustrations at the wrong level of government.  I also think a protest is probably more disruptive than constructive.

I asked every parent present if they had offered to volunteer in the school, perhaps in Ms. Setsor’s classroom.  None had, although Ms. Norma, who has a special needs child in third grade, said she is a frequent visitor to the school.  Norma also tells me that the group has been invited to the Board of Education meeting, which will be held tomorrow, by board member Holly Helton.

Inside the building, things seemed to be business as usual.  Principal Barry Bellamy said a few of the children *had noticed the protesters, but it didn’t seem to be creating a problem.

UPDATED BELOW Jeff Bobo has an excellent video report covering the HES demonstration  here.

I’ve talked to several parents this morning.  Most are upset that the school day was disrupted by protesters, and they were worried their children would be fearful or that things would  get out of hand.  (It is ironic the protest is creating more of a safety concern for parents than the actual issue they’re protesting.)

Overall, I’d say while many parents might be concerned about Setsor or even hold an opinion similar to that of the protesters, the majority of them did not support the demonstration.  I did not support the demonstration, and I have my reasons.

Those reasons are very simple:

a) I interpret the facts differently.  I understand that news reports come primarily from police reports.  Police reports, particularly in assault cases, rely largely upon a victim’s statement.  I also realize that, because this was a domestic issue, law enforcement officers are encouraged to arrest whomever is the primary aggressor – and let the court sort out the details later.   This isn’t my opinion on how it works, this is codified.   Tennessee is a “preferred arrest” state and the law is here. I understand the intent of the law, and I wholeheartedly support Officer Chris Funk’s actions.  HOWEVER, I did not see it written in the narrative that this woman confessed to having a gun or that the officer found a gun in the residence (as these parents have stated.)  I’m content to let Doug Jenkins, the DA and David Brand sort it out and determine if the case should progress to criminal court or what type of punishment is necessary, if any.  That’s what they’re paid the big bucks to do.

b.) I also realize the county must follow state laws tenure laws: which are here and here. The local policy is modeled after those laws.  Charlotte Britton is following procedure, and that’s all she can do.   That’s all anyone can do.

c.) I don’t feel my child is in danger at Hawkins Elementary School.  At all.    Period.

At the same time, I recognize these parents have a right to hold a peaceful assembly.  The kids didn’t seem to notice anything amiss yesterday – except for the few who saw them  gathering during morning drop-off.   Even Mr. Smartypants reports the most interesting thing that happened on Wednesday was art class.  And I don’t think the picketing parents pose a threat.

I know most of those parents – or at least the drop-ins.  Some I’ve known since our kids started school together, others I’ve known all my life.  While I was there with them, we talked about how little L was doing with the transition from Primary to Elementary School, how J-B, who was Smartypants’ flag football teammate, was loving Ms. Shanks in third grade.   I overheard Tara Snyder explaining teacher tenure to another Mom and relaying the positive conversation she’d just had with Mr. Bellamy.

Some of the parents just wanted to know what was going on… and skipped out quickly to avoid being caught on TV  (Smart.)

Robin Robinson, I met Monday afternoon as she was handing out fliers.  I actually called her back over to the car and asked if she knew the policy for suspending teachers or the state laws.   I also asked her to keep in mind that an investigation deals with facts and not charges or gossip.  Robinson did look up those laws, which impressed me.   And while I continue to believe her effort is misguided,  I believe her heart is in the right place.

Missus Phyllis, whom I’ve known all my life as Eddie’s Mamma, was there picketing because she wants something done – and its imperative that this be done immediately.  Her son-in-law, Roy Mathes, has pulled his daughter (*her granddaughter) out of school until the issue is resolved.   He and his wife state their daughter is afraid of the teacher, and they are concerned for her safety.   In speaking with Mr. Mathes, he tells me that he was offered few alternatives: those being homeschooling or moving his daughter into an empty classroom to work independently.  As a taxpayer, he doesn’t feel this is acceptable.  He has certain expectations from the local education system: one of those being Mathes should feel confident that his daughter is safe and happy at school in a regular classroom.   Mr. Mathes also claims he’s willing to take a stand – even if it means hiring an attorney to sue the school system.

While I support parent activism and demanding accountability, I’m more of the mindset that you work within the system to have your immediate needs met.  Then, you work to change the system.  Mathes’ approach, on the other hand, will unavoidably land him before the truancy board without a legal leg to stand on.  Regardless of how much the local authorities might empathize, attendance laws are state laws: the same laws that every Tennessean must follow.

I’d never met Kim Moore before – but she lives next door to Spygirl.  Moore has a child in fifth grade – and told Jeff Bobo that  her son had Setsor last year.  She also states she “was a good teacher and they had no problems with her last year,” but she still wants her removed from the school.

Moore, who asked not to be recorded, told me she didn’t “care about state laws, she wanted to see the school board to suspend  Setsor and she was prepared to protest until that happened.”  Around about that time, I recieved a voice mail alert on my cell phone and Moore stated:  “Oh, I know you’re recording me.  I know that.”

At that point, I’d had about all I could take.   My objectivity, if I ever had any, was shot.  So, if you want my honest opinion as a parent here it is:

I believe some of these parents are overreacting.  I believe that, if their children are scared,  there is a good possibility they’ve been frightened by things they’ve heard at home or even worse – by things other children have heard at home. I’d if  I had my druthers, I’d druther the protesters not be at my child’s school, standing in the front of the parking lot all day and screaming like banshees and causing passing cars to honk their horns and scream – “HEY, ARE YA’LL HAVIN’ A CAR WASH?”

There are no secret meetings scheduled for this Saturday. (There’s a Legislative Breakfast and Nancy Barker will totally let you come if you join the Chamber.)  I don’t believe anything that starts with, “Well, the rumor is…”  or “What I’m hearing…”  and “  According to so-n-so, somebody else said..” Most of those things I’ve checked out are untrue, unprovable, or have been grossly misinterpreted.

Therefore, you’ll pardon me, if I’m a little skeptical that everyone from Jesus to Phil Bredesen is going to rain down hell and fury on half of Hawkins County.  And if the school board members have truly said half of the statements that’s been poked in their mouth by other people, then some of them need to resign their seats.

But hey, that’s just my opinion.  I could be wrong.  To be on the safe side, you might want to carry a fire-proof umbrella to the board meeting tonight.  Or some popcorn… since I’m sure some of us will make a spectacle of ourselves.

Tags: activism, classroom, Hawkins County, Hawkins County Elementary, Hawkins County Schools, parenting, Parents, picket signs, protests, Teacher Tenure, Veleka Setsor