Are principals allowed to set and administer rules according to their own beliefs and culture for a campus or are there rules and guidelines for them to follow
And if there are not any rules and guideline for them to follow who is there to make sure that they are not bias or offensive to other people cultures and beliefs by saying what is and is not acceptable at a public middle school
what can i do if a principal offends my culture, my child and me
2007-04-24 09:13:49 · 34 answers · asked by freespiritedtaye 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Appeal to the School Superintendent or School Board. They set the guidelines for the School District and the principal's job description.
Try to not get too emotional and work within their system. If you seem to be getting no where, then you can escalate to possible legal action.
2007-04-24 09:19:19 · answer #1 · answered by ADF 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Principals are not dictators... they are not allowed to set rules at will. There are certain guidelines they have to follow, especially at public schools. However, they have some flexibility to interpret and apply those as appropriate in any given situation, just as a police officer has the flexibility to either issue a citation, arrest someone, or let them off with a warning.
Most likely the principal had no idea that what he said was offensive, or that your culture views certain comments differently from his culture. Let yourself calm down, and then call or write the principal and request a meeting with him. Explain to him calmly that what he said/did was offensive to you, and why. Explain that this issue is very important to you, and you would like to find a reasonable solution between his rules and your cultural needs. Listen carefully while he explains why he said what he did or why he set the rule he did, and try to understand the issue from his point of view. Focus on finding a compromise, not on being "vindicated."
2007-04-24 09:24:13 · answer #2 · answered by teresathegreat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before you go to a lawyer or the ACLU or the press, check with the school board. Rules are usually established at that level and must be followed across the board within a school system. If you check and find you still feel that there was discrimination and the school board will not take action against the principal, go to the local press and call the ACLU. They can tell you what is what. A regular local lawyer may just take money from you knowing that he/she can't make or win a case. Of course, some things are unwinnable- you can't stop a public school from serving foods that are against your religion or make other students wear clothing that conforms to your faith/culture system.
2007-04-24 09:27:16 · answer #3 · answered by madisons friend 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am sorry about a little child and your culture being offended. This should not happen. Was it something the principal was aware of? Being of a different culture, people sometimes say or do things they feel is quite alright not realizing that it offends another culture.
If this was not the case and if you believe it was done intentionally you may go to a higher authority. Everyone has someone above them. If it is the principal of the middle school who offended you then go to the school administrator with your complaint
2007-04-24 09:26:13 · answer #4 · answered by Moody Red 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can file a formal complaint with the school board, and find out if other parents feel the same (and other taxpayers) Take that info with you to the school board, as well as your lawyer. You could always file suit against the school district, the city, state or anybody else involved. Raise a big stink by means of letters and newspaper editorials. Politely remind the elected school officials that they are there to serve you and your children. Always remember... your vote counts. You probably should remind them of that too.
Not only the school board, but the city council. Bad publicity about a school system can be tough on a city's image and bottom line, depending on the size of the town.
2007-04-24 09:23:32 · answer #5 · answered by effigyofpleasure 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to go to the School Board and ask them what sort of guidelines and restrictions are in place. They can help you with that. And if they don't, you can always go to the State level.
Although I would say the BEST place to start is by talking to the principal. That's what the board will ask you to do anyhow.
2007-04-24 09:17:29 · answer #6 · answered by Endroren 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact the Board of Education for your school district. Ask to speak to the Superintendent for your particular school and make a complaint. If your principal is doing anythin offensive the school board will take it very seriously.
2007-04-24 09:19:42 · answer #7 · answered by tavimew 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Talk to the superintendent or Board of Education. Principals have superiors too, and it sounds like yours gets a little power trip from trying to impose their beliefs on everyone else (they fundamentalist Christian? I know a lot of them who would establish a theocracy in a heartbeat).
2007-04-24 09:23:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are bound by certain national and state laws along with district guidelines. They may add their own philosophy so long as it is within those said guidelines, however.
What happened? You'll get more help if you explain a little more.
2007-04-24 09:18:29 · answer #9 · answered by NONAME 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you feel you have a complaint against the school you should contact the Board of Education in your area and address the issues at hand with them.
Should they fail to provide you with relief, I'd suggest contacting an attorney in your area for more guidance.
Best wishes.
2007-04-24 09:17:47 · answer #10 · answered by KC V ™ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋