LOS ANGELES – An admitted registered sex offender is suing the Lancaster School District, alleging he is being wrongfully denied access to his child’s school and to be involved in his son’s education in defiance of the law.
The man, identified only as John Doe in the Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit filed Monday, is asking a judge to declare that the state Penal Code does not deny the plaintiff and other registrants access to school grounds for “lawful business.”
A representative for the district did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
The plaintiff is the father of a 5-year-old boy who attends kindergarten at El Dorado Elementary School and is being assessed for special education needs, according to the complaint.
“Plaintiff seeks to be actively involved in his child’s education,” the suit says.
Specifically, he wants to direct the education of his child and accompany the boy to and from school to protect him, according to his court papers, which say he also wants to attend parent-teacher conferences, ceremonies and other “milestones” in his son’s learning process.
On Jan. 29, the district, via an email from an administrator, denied Doe’s request to enter the campus, according to the suit, which says the “rejection did not include a reason for denying plaintiff’s access to the school campus.”
The Penal Code states that a registered sex offender who goes on school grounds without a lawful reason and written permission is guilty of a misdemeanor, the suit states. Doe says he disclosed to the district that he was a registered sex offender and requested permission in writing to enter his child’s school in order to take him to and from home to his classes as well as for other purposes allowed under the law.
“School officials denied this request,” the suit states.
The Penal Code does not give school districts the discretion to deny registrants such as Doe permission for any and all purposes to go onto his child’s campus and exercise his rights under the state Education Code and the Parents’ Bill of Rights, according to the suit.
The district’s refusal to allow Doe onto his son’s school grounds for lawful purposes “is both inconsistent and in conflict with California law” and “an abuse of discretion,” the suit alleges.
Since registering as a sex offender, Doe has not committed any additional sex offenses, according to his lawsuit.
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Michelle Egberts says
I realize each and every one of you that have posted on this article have your personal opinions on this matter, and I respect all of them. The 1st Amendment affords you this right as it’s the law and you are protected by such. However, the Lancaster School District has to abide by the letter of the law and can not interpret/apply it in the way they personally see fit or they are violating the law and will be held accountable. The Plaintiff in this case is a client of ours (AV-East Kern Second Chance) and is entitled to his parental rights pursuant to the “Parents’ Bill of Rights” and has lawful business on the school campus despite being a convicted sex offender pursuant to Cal. Penal Code 627(b). I personally tried to advocate on behalf of our client with Todd Coleman, El Dorado Elemetary School Principal and Jullie Eutsler, Lancaster School District Pupil Safety/Attendance Director. The school district was violating not only the California Education Code and Penal Code, but also the recommendations of the California School Board Association (CSBA), the experts in the field of education law and school governance in which Lancaster School District contracts with. Lancaster School District was negligent in refusing to abide by the law and were unwilling to come into compliance with the law. Thus a lawsuit. As I’ve said many times… “You can’t violate the law to enforce the law.”
A client says
Due to the casual nature of social media, talking about (your client), even though his name is not revealed, is completely unethical, and smacks of an advertisement, and what you are doing. It is one thing to discuss in general terms, about this case, but quite another to bring yourself into this issue, by saying he is your client.
Client says
Not only that, but mentioning personal names, so the crazies out there that want to get involved can. Way to go M.E. Another completely unethical move, since nowhere were names mentioned regarding this case, until you decided to broadcast everything to the masses. They might sue you because of your obsession to advertise yourself.
A client says
Bringing up personal names? I think they should sue you.
Sunshine says
He is then seeking special treatment, because all LSD schools are closed campuses and parents are not allowed on campus. Special Ed parents do not come on campus with their child. ALL students, including SpEd, are dropped off and picked up at the gates. Parents are typically only allowed on campus for special ceremonies, such as student of the month or promotion assemblies. SpEd parents come on campus for IEP meetings, usually before or after school. Parent volunteers must pass a background check through fingerprinting. I’m curious as to why he thinks he should get to go on campus, esp. given his circumstances, when others can’t.
Michelle Egberts says
Sunshine… Our client (the Plaintiff) has never sought “special treatment”. He has never been allowed to drop off or pick-up his child nor attend any IEP meetings. He has the right pursuant to law to be actively involved in his child’s education; protecting his child when traveling to and from school; volunteering his time at school-related activities at which his child is present; observing classroom instruction; attending parent-teacher conferences; attending performances, ceramonies, and other milestones in his child’s education; and for other lawful business pursuant to his rights as a parent under California law just like any other parent. Why should h be treated any different?
Gowchong says
Sadly, in our society today, Doe will prevail in his lawsuit.
School Safety says
Mr. Doe has a lot of nerve.
Be equal says
This guy got some balls I would not want a convicted sex offender at my kids school the school has a right to protect those children from this guy if his kid has special needs who’s knows what he’s doing to that kid
sarah says
so becus hes child has special needs, hes doing something to him? wow
Be equal says
Oh I’m sorry I did not mean to offend you why don’t you let him come over your house and babysit your kids because it’s probably your husband everyone is talking about now
protect our kids while at school says
Screw that loser! He should have thought about that before becoming a sexual predator. There are hundreds of other kids at that school that require protection from him. I hope the judge denies him. If not, parents at that school and any other school his kid goes to should do the same.
Giraffechick says
Who says he’s a child predator??? He could’ve just flashed someone or sexually assaulted another adult all bad things but doesn’t mean he’s a child molester. In some places dating someone 18yrs old while you’re more than 2 yrs older can get you on the sex offenders list