GOVERNMENT SCHOOL TO SUE a parent?

Question

The government school district in Galveston, Texas is threatening to sue a parent for what the school district says is libelous material on the parent's website. Sandra Tetley runs a site – www.gisdwatch.com – where she posts information about the local government school system and its officials. If she does not remove the statements from the website, the strict plans to sue her.
Tetley accuses trustees and administrators of breaking the law. Her group, Galveston Alliance for Neighborhood schools, has a history of criticizing the district for reconfiguring its middle schools, closing elementary schools, meeting in illegal executive sessions, refusing to divulge contents of a letter from a civil rights consultant, and for issuing a budget forecast that was off by $10 million.
One legal expert says that it is "rare and unlawful" for the district to sue a citizen. Government entities cannot sue for libel. Some call this potential lawsuit an intimidation tactic, and even worse, a great big waste of taxpayer dollars.
Tetley says that people are tired of what the government is doing, and that they are going to use our own money to silence us.
Our government schools are so pitiful .. it's sad more parents aren't as proactive as Tetley. Once the parents of this country recognize what they're doing to their children, and once these parents start demanding some semblance of school choice, things may begin to change.
Her web site:
http://www.gisdwatch.com/
Galveston Daily News:
http://news.galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=67e7147b74f58ff1
I admire her for speaking out. What are your thoughts?

Answer 1

As a teacher, its is unfortunate that the schools are their own worst enemies sometimes.

Regardless of whether or not government entities can sue for libel, the only basis for the suit would be if the information published was not true. It sounds like their opinions on such things as closing elementary schools are factual. By making a lawsuit out of it, they have only drawn attention to the website and made themselves look like they have something to hide.

A much better way to deal with it is to create your own website that factually deals with the issue. The school that I teach at was on the list of "dropout factories" with less than 60% of students graduating in four years. Rather than coming out with a lawsuit, we responded with facts. (By setting a higher standard and failing students who deserved to be failed some students took five years to pass, some students got jobs during the day and completed their diploma at night school, etc..)

Answer 2

I agree in principle that government's deep legal pockets should not be used to harrass citizens. But I couldn't disagree more with the personal views you express in your final paragraph.

Why do you call them "government schools" instead of the more usual "public school" designation? The government isn't some occupying body forced upon us by outside agencies, the government is you and me -- WE THE PEOPLE.

In the mid-1900s, our public schools were so good that very few parents even considered any alternative. Our goal should be to return to that excellence rather than to funnel our tax dollars into private pockets. Calls for privatization are generally limited to privatization of PROFITS. When it comes to RISK, these squawkers are Socialists to the core.

Answer 3

Regardless of whether this woman is right or wrong about the district, a government entity cannot sue for libel or slander. That's an encroachment on free speech.

This is a political matter, not a judicial matter.

Answer 4

She should keep speaking out, and if the local government doesn't want their name dragged through the mud they should consider what she has to say instead of silencing her. I know about corrupt local governments all too well, I live under one, and we have similar situations with recalls being asked for (a recent one failed with a 49% vote to recall all elected officials) and allegations being brought to light that are not answered. In our local town meetings, you have to sign in and publicly state your name and address before addressing the council... I wonder why they have that policy in place?

Answer 5

Good for Sandra Tetley, we don't live in a communist society, the truth always hurts the liar. It shows what one person can accomplish in this great country and that scum and corruption is everywhere, even in the places you wouldn't expect. I salute her for fighting the good fight,
I wish she was in Louisiana when Nagan was doing his thing.

Answer 6

Good for her, she sounds like she is becoming a thorn in the school boards side but that's quite alright. I'm glad that she is being a watchdog for her children. It certainly sounds like the school district is trying to intimidate her but I hope she doesn't let them. More people should be that involved in their public schools.

Answer 7

This is why the founders wanted a limited government. Government works for us and should not be able to have so much power over us.

Answer 8

Good for her. And the school has no basis for a suit it will be dismissed if they ever actually bring it. I challenge all of you who have children in public schools to be as active and informed as this woman. She is a hero.

Answer 9

The best defense against a libel suit is the truth. If her facts are correct she has little to worry about.

Answer 10

I think it's interesting that the school district is bothered by being watched. If they are doing nothing wrong - should this matter so much?

I think Teacher's Unions and schools sometimes FORGET they work for US - we pay their salaries and we should have accountability from them for what they do.