Yavapai County Superior Court Judge Thomas Lindberg has modified the release conditions of Prescott Valley resident Raymond Parenteau, whom the state has charged with defrauding the Prescott Unified School District of between $3,000 and $25,000.
Lindberg is allowing Parenteau to take his son to and from school and to speak with his son's teachers or any other Washington Traditional School officials who deal with Parenteau's young autistic son.
Lindberg said he made his decision because the school district has obligations to educate Parenteau's child.
Lindberg kept in place a restriction keeping Parenteau from contacting PUSD's main administrative and financial offices.
Lindberg also gave Parenteau permission to go to California to visit his wife in case of an emergency during an upcoming back operation she is undergoing there. Otherwise, he must remain in Arizona.
A Yavapai County Attorney's Office lawyer who represents the state in the case argued against modifying Parenteau's release conditions, saying school administration officials at both Washington Traditional and the district wanted no contact with Parenteau.
But Lindberg made it clear that school administrators work for the public and have an obligation to educate children.
As for administrators at Washington Traditional School, Lindberg said, "I don't find that they have any horse in this race."
Parenteau's wife is unable to take her son to school because of medication she takes for a long-standing back problem.
Parenteau's next court appearance is at 9 a.m. on March 2 when the attorneys in the case will appear before Lindberg to iron out future court dates.
Police arrested Parenteau on Dec. 17 after a yearlong investigation. They said Parenteau siphoned off money for himself that should have gone to specialized teachers for home-schooling his son during an eight-month period in 2007.
Parenteau has said the charges are unfounded and are the school district's way to retaliate against him for advocating on behalf of children with special needs.
Reader Comments
Posted: Saturday, February 14, 2009
Article comment by:
Michael E. Robinson
This is a first step in a true victory for the parents of kids in Special Education in Prescott. I have been working closely with the administration advocating for the parents that were left 'up in the air' over what is NOW stated as only 3,000 on one end of it.. in what they say are missing funds. Seems like this could be settled in Small Claims Court. Ray deserves to be able to advocate for his own son during this time in which I believe he will be vindicated and released from this. I strongly believe that if the school officials would soundly work with parents and not 'appear above the law' (they aren't, a Due Process that will be heard has been filed through my office on one case just this week, more shall follow), they would have a closer relationship in which parents feel comfortable with their school district. The kids aren't going anywhere and the Administration I am sure would like to continue in their jobs I assume. The quicker the Administration moves forward with the needs of these children will equate to more funds going to Education and not for 'defense' . I always like to see a situation where parents and administration can get along and agree on things and all act quickly for the sake of these children, who benefit highly from early intervention and education. Lets hope 'we all can just get along' . In regards to Washington Elementary, I do strongly believe every parent of a child in the Autism Class has a large concern, and I believe this because I've worked about 80 hours this week on their cases ..and in viewing the school myself. I will not comment on that as it is currently under 'debate' through an email process with the Arizona State Senate's Committee's on Education and Education Reform. I keep them closely informed of all activity that is pertinent to their attention regarding P.U.S.D.
I think the judge's decision was sound and based on input from professionals in the field of Advocacy and input by other professionals and lawmaker(s). The Attention is now on the district and not Ray, I have had nothing but good input regarding his strong ability to help other parents. My personal opinion on all of this ? WHY is the state spending tens of thousands if not more.. to look into possibly 3,000 missing ?? I think that's a questions many readers may have that is not being voiced, I have no problem in voicing what needs to be said boldly. Lets all hope for a change to the better for everyone. Michael E. Robinson, Sr. The Office of Autism Advocacy Peace4kids@Yahoo.com
Parents needing help please email me.
Posted: Thursday, February 12, 2009
Article comment by:
Aaron Stoneburner
I like what Lindberg has to say here. As for this subject with the school districts, I wouldn't trust them as far as I can throw them. My stepson has a disability, and he doesn't get what he needs from the school. A school that gets 30K allocated from the state for each special needs child. So tell me, where does the money go? It would seem to me that Mr. Parenteau is a scapegoat being used to deflect attention away from something else. I don't see them openly sharing their financial doings with the public either.
Posted: Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Article comment by:
Carol
Right on Judge Linberg. We are very lucky to have him here in Prescott.
He is right the parent has the right to talk with anyone who teaches their child. I am sick and tired of these teachers and principals and administrators who think they are above the law, what they say is the way it is. I don't think so get some communication skillls people. Ray is a good man and a great Father and this entire thing is bogus.
Posted: Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Article comment by:
I like his sound judgment
Ya' know, the more I read of Judge Lindberg's rulings, the more I admire his judgment. Yavapai County is fortunate to have this individual as judge in one of our Superior Courts.
Posted: Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Article comment by:
William Wallace
I am told by a mother of a special needs child that Raymond Parenteau (Ray) is a strong advocate for his own special needs child, and for the other special needs children, and their parents in PUSD. I am also told by this mother that Ray offered and attended IEP meetings with parents who were new and uninformed about the rights of themslves, and their children during these IEP meetings. Twice in my own life I have had civil opponents that have tried to use the criminal justice system to neutralize me in a civil issue. That is the most uncivil way to conduct yourself, yet that seems to be what PUSD has done. I hope that for the good of everyone involved, that PUSD will see the problem with this approach. YOU DO NOT USE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO DEAL WITH A CIVIL ISSUE, BECAUSE IT IS BARBARIC. To go after this father criminally for possibly misappropriating between $3,000 and $25,000 dollars in 2007 is petty, insincere, and uncivilized. The chances are that PUSD misappropriates much more than that every year.
Posted: Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Article comment by:
Observer
FINALLY, someone recognizes that public schools do not have a choice about which children and parents they serve. As a former educator, I was often offended when teachers would state, "I don't want that kid in my class and I won't work with him if you put him in my class". Thank goodness this judge has the sense to know that public school for all students within the district means just that. If teachers and administrators aren't willing to work with all children and parents then perhaps they should have gone into different occupations. I only wish the upper level administration were not set apart as too elite to deal with parents too. Many of a district's problems occur because of a disconnect between administration and the families they serve.
