KINGWOOD — A private school is suing the Preston County Board of Education, saying the board has harassed and defamed the school since its inception.
Kristine Ayers-Cline filed the suit on behalf of Laurel Academy LLC and herself. The school has an Aurora address.
According to the suit, “Since its inception, Laurel Academy — for inexplicable reasons — has been the target of false and defamatory statements and rhetoric made by agents of the BOE to prospective students at Laurel Academy, in apparent attempts to dissuade students from transferring to Laurel Academy.”
For example, the suit says, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act mandates students have access to special education services, but Preston County Schools “have consistently failed to provide Laurel Academy students mandated services throughout its existence.”
A student and Laurel can decline services, according to the lawsuit, but the board has “deliberately created red tape and obstacles” to Laurel students either receiving or declining IDEA services.
Also according to the lawsuit:
- The board has interfered with the transfer of student records to Laurel.
- Preston High School staff told parents and students a Laurel Academy diploma is “illegitimate and worthless” or limits students’ post-secondary options. PHS staff also said Laurel is operating unlawfully.
- Board representatives have tried to get students to sign drop out papers rather than transfer to Laurel.
- Board representatives have harassed parents of students transferring to Laurel, including threatening jail if the students didn’t attend school, even though Laurel had already faxed record requests for the students.
- Staff filed complaints with Child Protective Services, saying students were truant when they were enrolled at Laurel.
- “False and defamatory comments such as calling Laurel a ‘dump’ and claiming students had to bring their own toilet paper have been made.”
- Former Board Member Robert McCrum and other BOE representatives have said Laurel is closed.
- Preston County Schools has refused to accept Laurel’s credits if students return to public school.
Plaintiffs said they have suffered monetary loss; mental and emotional distress; aggravation, annoyance and inconvenience; loss of standing in the community; and other damages. They want the court to award damages and attorney fees.
They also want permanent injunctions and/or writs of prohibition and mandamus ordering the school system to comply with all IDEA and state regulations, to cease and desist obstructing the transfer of student records to Laurel and to give students full credit for Laurel classes.
TWEET @DominionPostWV
