"Charlie Self" wrote in message
ups.com...
On Feb 5, 11:10?pm, "Leon" wrote:
"Charlie Self" wrote in message

oups.com...
It got crazy when someone decided a 500 buck fine was appropriate for
not making a meeting with a schoolteacher.

Or crazy changing the whole jest of the new law.

The fine is after making the appointment and not calling to cancel.

I looked back and couldn't find anything about the fine coming after
an appointment is made. It's slightly less retarded then, but still
lacks brilliance.

If you go to the link and "watch and listen" to all 3 or 4 minutes of the
report you will hear the comment that the fine is imosed after the parent
has committed to 1 of 3 meetings and then choosed for what ever reason to
not attend and not tell the school that they will not be there. In Texas we
consider that phone call "Common Curtisity".

Less retarded, well lets certainly not impose any type of system to benefit
out kids until it is perfect.


There has to be some assumption the parent is forced to make an
appointment, because otherwise it makes no sense whatsoever to fine
them for missing a voluntary meeting.

Yes the parent is probably required to attend 1 of 3 possible meeting dates
when their child is in danger of further problems or failing a class. The
fine can simply be avoided by providing a reasonable excuse and a telephone
call. What is so unreasonable about that?



Sure, it wastes some of the
teacher's time, but that's been going on for a long, long, long time
and will continue regardless of sanctions.

Maybe.



Do you fine someone who had a blow-out on the way to the appointment,
or simply got caught in traffic, or simply had a moment of
forgetfulness?

Do you fine some one that lies and uses one of those excuses.
You can make up excuses all day long. Not every one was born yesterday.
Sometimes life just bites you in the butt. If a parent has never attended a
meeting previously, there is a better than good chance that the flat tire
did not really happen. If the parent has been involved and goes to meetings
I suspect that a missed meeting could be rescheduled.
Its not a law yet so thousands of scenarios can be played out.

Bottom line, the state is trying to get the parents to be responsible for
their kids actions. If any has a better way that would actually work better
and be effective, please step up and provide that the answer.
While I don't like government to be involved any more than the next person,
something has to be done and right or wrong you have to start some where.