kicked out of band

[struckmom]

What is the name of your state? TN

Can I take legal action against a band director who told my son he couldn't march during a football game and then left him ouside the gates without adult supervision?

 

[Just Blue]

What is the name of your state? TN

Can I take legal action against a band director who told my son he couldn't march during a football game and then left him ouside the gates without adult supervision?

Probably not...

How old is your son? Why was he barred from marching? Is this a school band? Public or Private?

 

[struckmom]

He's 16. Yes, this is a public high school band. He was told he was playing the cadence wrong and when he replied that he wasn't and told the band director to stop staring at him the band director told him he couldn't march. My son stepped out of formation and stood on the side and waited to be told what to do but he wasn't and the rest of the band walked into the game and left him behind.

 

[Just Blue]

He's 16. Yes, this is a public high school band. He was told he was playing the cadence wrong and when he replied that he wasn't and told the band director to stop staring at him the band director told him he couldn't march. My son stepped out of formation and stood on the side and waited to be told what to do but he wasn't and the rest of the band walked into the game and left him behind.

So what kind of legal action are you thinking of?

 

[struckmom]

I'm not sure I want to take legal action as much as I'm looking for a means to hold him accountable for the supervision of my son. He's responsible for the band kids when they are performing and when he dismisses one he should tell them what they should do instead of just walking off and leaving them. I feel if I did that as a parent I would be charged with abandonment.

 

[Just Blue]

I'm not sure I want to take legal action as much as I'm looking for a means to hold him accountable for the supervision of my son. He's responsible for the band kids when they are performing and when he dismisses one he should tell them what they should do instead of just walking off and leaving them. I feel if I did that as a parent I would be charged with abandonment.

Call the school and complain to the principal.

 

[struckmom]

Done that. Also went to the board of education. Can't seem to get the point across that if anything bad had happened to my son while he was unattended this situation would be far worse. Just trying to prevent it from happening again. What do I say to wake the administration up that they are responsible when I entrust them with my son during these school activities?

 

[Just Blue]

Done that. Also went to the board of education. Can't seem to get the point across that if anything bad had happened to my son while he was unattended this situation would be far worse. Just trying to prevent it from happening again. What do I say to wake the administration up that they are responsible when I entrust them with my son during these school activities?

If a 16 year old can't be trusted to sit outside a game, then perhaps that 16 year old shouldn't be allowed in band. According to your post, your son was disrespectful and rude to his teacher....yet you want that teacher to be punished for disciplining him...What a great example you are setting for your child.

You have no recourse. Get over it.

 

[kdhohio]

Excellent tongue biting Bay....35 minutes. I personally had that opinion after post 3.

 

[Just Blue]

Excellent tongue biting Bay....35 minutes. I personally had that opinion after post 3.

I just wanted to be sure to not jump the gun...

I honestly don't understand some parents...If Jr. had been my child, I would have grounded him for a month and made him PUBLICLY apologize to the band master.

 

[quincy]

struckmom - You didn't mention anything like this, but I was curious anyway - does your son have special needs? I ask because I know of a few children in a band in a local school district here who are autistic (band has opened up their worlds quite a bit socially), but they need direction and supervision more than the other students. The answers given to your question may be different if this were the case. Again, just curious.

 

[Just Blue]

struckmom - You didn't mention anything like this, but I was curious anyway - does your son have special needs? I ask because I know of a few children in a band in a local school district here who are autistic (band has opened up their worlds quite a bit socially), but they need direction and supervision more than the other students. The answers given to your question may be different if this were the case. Again, just curious.

Very good point Quincy!! And something I hadn't thought of...And if it is the case I deeply apologize to Struckmom for my attitude!!!

 

[CdwJava]

Done that. Also went to the board of education. Can't seem to get the point across that if anything bad had happened to my son while he was unattended this situation would be far worse.

Suing for what MIGHT have happened is not going to fly. If that were the case, could YOU ever leave your son at home alone? After all, he MIGHT get kidnapped ... or burned in an accident with the stove ... or climb on the roof and fall off ... get the point?

Had he actually been harmed, then MAYBE you might have had a case. But, in most instances a 16 year old is going to be seen as having sufficient common sense to take care of himself in this circumstance. We are not talking about a 5-year-old.

If he is of sufficient mental capacity to take care of himself to, from, and at school, then he is capable of taking care of himself at a football game.

Just trying to prevent it from happening again. What do I say to wake the administration up that they are responsible when I entrust them with my son during these school activities?

What did you expect the instructor to do? Cancel the performance because he was going to have to babysit your 16-year-old son?? Sorry, that is not reasonable. Your son was being disrespectful and insolent, and he COULD have found himself suspended or expelled for his actions. If he was only banned from the field for the game, then he should consider himself fortunate.

Had this been a band class while AT school (during the regular school day) I might feel that the school had some greater responsibility. But since this was apparently a game after school, I don't think they had any extended responsibility once your son decided to be insolent.

If you feel you are no getting the response you wish from the school administration, you may go to the superintendent or to the school board. However, you might consider the possibility that doing so COULD result in someone realizing that your son's actions likely violated policy and SHOULD have resulted in suspension or expulsion.

I hope that you have spoken to your son about showing respect to his teachers, and explaining that his actions were wrong.

- Carl

 

[struckmom]

Damage has been done. You convicted, sentenced, and then asked questions.

 

[Just Blue]

Damage has been done. You convicted, sentenced, and then asked questions.

No..I asked questions first.

If your child is special needs that would be very relevant information that should have been included in your first post...But judging by this post I doubt he is.

Are you planning on doing this when Jr. is an adult? He wises off to his boss and gets fired, are you going to be calling the CEO of the Corporation to complain?? Now would be a really good time to start teaching Jr. that there are consequences to his actions.