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On May 28, my son achieved what seemed improbable just a few years ago. He graduated from high school with honors, and I had the privilege of handing him his diploma as he walked across the stage. This milestone symbolizes not only his hard work but also resilience in the face of challenges.
If someone had told me five years ago that we would reach this moment, I would have responded with disbelief. My son, who has a learning disability, faced severe setbacks when schools abruptly shifted to virtual learning during the pandemic. His grade point average plummeted from a commendable 3.5 to a troubling 1.5. For nearly two years, I struggled to see how he could regain his academic footing.
Today, while my son has found a more promising path, I am still confronting the consequences of how the school handled his education and my advocacy for him.
Seeking Justice Through Legal Action
On June 12, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments regarding a pivotal case I initiated. I am requesting the school board to deliver an apology for infringing upon my constitutional right to free speech. My defense of my son, who has special needs, led to alarming retaliatory actions from elected officials who sought to dismiss me and even instigated a federal investigation against me.
The Impact of a Virtual Learning Environment
This battle began in the summer of 2020 when the Chippewa Valley School Board announced that classes would remain virtual for the upcoming school year. My son had already endured three months of subpar virtual learning at that point, and every day was increasingly detrimental to his education.
His learning disability necessitates individualized attention from teachers. I was deeply concerned that a full year devoid of face-to-face interaction would irreparably harm his educational experience and overall development.
Fighting for Change
The school board conducted public meetings during that summer and fall. Out of genuine concern for my son’s well-being, I attended all of them. Unfortunately, the board members exhibited a complete unwillingness to consider parental feedback, much less exhibit leadership by reopening schools.
Frustration was inevitable. I am a police officer with 27 years of experience, and I know how to conduct myself in public discourse. I maintained my composure even as I faced personal attacks.
Escalation of Tensions
However, the school board crossed an unacceptable line. In December, my deputy chief at the police station called me into his office, where he read an email from a school board member. This email accused me of “veiled racism.” Such accusations can have serious implications for a police officer’s career, and I faced threats to my livelihood purely for advocating for my son.
Despite the intense scrutiny, I remained committed to attending school board meetings, keeping my cool even as I felt targeted. My commitment to seeking positive change for my son drove my actions.
Government Retaliation and Parental Rights
In October, the school board president escalated matters further by submitting a formal complaint to the Department of Justice. He claimed I made “threatening comments.” The implication was obvious; the board was leveraging the political climate to suppress dissent from concerned parents.
The day before, Attorney General Merrick Garland issued a memo directing the FBI to investigate parents who voiced concerns about schools. This memo initiated a perilous wave against parents like me who sought to hold educational leaders accountable during the pandemic. The actions taken by my local school board only served to confirm this troubling trend.
Whether or not the Justice Department acted upon this complaint remains unclear. What is evident is that the school board, a body of elected officials, attempted to penalize me for exercising my right to express concerns regarding my son’s education.
Taking Action for Change
Despite the school board’s targeting, my son’s situation continued to decline. In 2021, I made the difficult decision to transfer him to a neighboring district’s school, and I ran for an open seat on the school board. I felt it was crucial to hold the previous board accountable for their actions.
The Sixth Circuit and My Legal Challenge
My current legal struggle has brought me to the Sixth Circuit after a district court acknowledged that I was targeted yet claimed no harm ensued. While the school board ultimately failed to achieve their objectives of removing me from my position or punishing me, this does not negate the severity of their actions.
Government officials should not escape accountability simply because their attempts to suppress dissent were unsuccessful. If the courts uphold this argument, we risk an alarming trend where officials across the country feel empowered to harass individuals who dare criticize them, creating a chilling effect on public discourse.
A Call for Recognition and Change
I have remained vocal about these injustices, refusing to be silenced. I am seeking recognition from the court that my constitutional rights were indeed violated and that the school board should owe me an apology.
It astonishes me that none of the elected officials who targeted me have offered even a simple acknowledgment of wrongdoing or an apology. I am fortunate that, despite their attempts to undermine me, I still maintain my position, and my son has successfully completed his high school education.
Advocacy for parental rights and accountability in education has never been more crucial. We must stand together to ensure that all parents can express their concerns without fear of reprisal.
