All White Indiana school board violates FOUR court orders, harasses Black mother then files criminal trespass against mother for complaining

(www.BlackParents.org) - JAMES “Jim” SNAPP, who is being called the “Bull Connor” of Indiana schools and his embattled all White school system that prides itself on keeping its’ staff “lily white,” is making national news for its controversial decision to ignore multiple court orders which allowed a parent of a special needs child to participate in the child’s education, attend school functions and be kept abreast of the child’s progress. The child and mother survived domestic violence and informed the school of their protected status but the school failed to protect their privacy.

Brown Elementary, run by principal Casey Patterson Smitherson, is under fire for harassing the mother, using racially intimidation methods, failing to protect the mother and child’s privacy, violating the child’s disability rights and providing information about the child and mother’s whereabouts to the abusive father.

The issues began at the school on the fourth day into the school year when a teacher gave the child a book with pornography showing a naked man being fondled by his young step-son. The mother complained and was ignored. The mother went to the school board to complain but stated that she was a domestic violence victim and therefore could not give her name or address. Mr. Snapp downplayed her complaint saying the book had won a Newberry Award in 1986, but the book NEVER won any award.

In retaliation for her complaints, Mr. Snapp went behind the mother’s back and had her name and child’s information inserted into the school board’s minutes and distributed them widely. The mother again complained and asked that the document be redacted to remove her name and child’s information under the Violence Against Women Act. Mr. Snapp refused.