Throw the Book at Her

A long time ago, a guidance counselor told me that in New York State, parents who failed to come to school when summoned could be charged with parental neglect. Hmm...I thought--that would be a useful addition to the various threats and insinuations I could make when I call homes. Still, in the 20 years since I've heard about it, I've never actually had to resort to it.

But it is used, apparently. In Mr Bloomberg's New York, who is it used against?

Bronx HS of Science senior Michel Dussack has a "B" average, an 1890 SAT score and an almost full college scholarship for the fall.

But Dussack's mother was accused of "educational neglect" two weeks ago and was reported to the city's child-services agency - because she missed a scheduled meeting to discuss her son possibly failing gym.

Wow. What a terrible mother, allowing her son to fail gym. That must be the worst offense these administrators had ever heard of. Not only that, but Michael had eight unexcused absences. Naturally, they were horrified. And what excuse did the mom offer?

The nonconsecutive days were for family deaths and illnesses, and his mom said she knew about them.

You'd think people would have the courtesy to get sick and die on vacation days. Apparently that's what the administration expected them to do.

Sources at the department told The Post that since the case of Nixzmary Brown, who was absent 46 times in one school year and killed in January 2006 by her abusive stepfather, school officials have been encouraged to enforce the absence policy strictly.

Doesn't it behoove those "sources," then, to keep an eye out for kids with such serious problems, rather than harassing parents whose kids are doing relatively well?