|
Dear Parents and Friends of Classical Charter Schools of America, As you may know, the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals (in Richmond) ruled against Charter Day School (CCS-Leland) on June 14, in a 10-6 decision saying in a remarkable 51-plus-page majority opinion that our dress code, in effect, is unlawful. Ten judges supported this decision, while six judges dissented as explained in their 46 pages. While the majority’s ruling itself is disturbing–and in our opinion wrongheaded and incorrect–what’s more disturbing is its possible consequence as explained in the dissent: the undermining of charter schools, not only here in Southeastern North Carolina, but elsewhere in the state and, indeed, across the country. That’s because the Court’s majority based its determination on a finding that Charter Day School [and presumably, by extension, all charter schools] is a so-called “state actor.” If this is true, the state can soon be telling us how to teach, what to teach, what textbooks and workbooks we must use, who we can hire to teach, when our schooldays must begin and end, and on and on and on. In other words, schools like ours will eventually become exactly like the mainstream public schools you chose NOT to send your children to. Charter schools, in effect, will disappear. This is not the end of our fight to remain independent and different (and, we hope you will agree, BETTER). On Thursday, June 23, the Classical Charter Schools of America board of trustees voted unanimously to appeal this erroneous decision to the Supreme Court of the United States. In the meantime, thank you for your continued encouragement and support. We will keep you appraised of events as they unfold. Best Regards, Baker Mitchell, Founder |
|
Court Ruling on Dress Code: Ten Majority p. 5-56, Six Dissenting p. 57-83, Three Dissenting p. 84-103 |
|
What Some “Contributors” are Contributing |
|
Fair Coverage |
|
RBA Attorney, Aaron Streett’s Statement We respectfully disagree with the majority’s opinion. As the six dissenting judges powerfully explain, the majority opinion contradicts Supreme Court precedent on state action, splits with every other circuit to consider the issue, and limits the ability of parents to choose the best education for their children. CDS will continue to provide an excellent education to its students, even as it evaluates the next steps in challenging this mistaken and harmful ruling. |
