New Lawsuit Madness

Nieztchean Uber-Amoeba · Post by **Nieztchean Uber-Amoeba** » 2005-01-25 12:18am

CNN wrote:MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin (AP) -- A student whose vacation plans were spoiled has sued to end summer homework in Wisconsin, claiming it creates an unfair workload and unnecessary stress.

Peer Larson, 17, had lined up a dream camp counselor job last June, but honors pre-calculus homework turned his summer into a headache.

"It didn't completely ruin my summer, but it did give me a lot of undue stress both at home and at work," the high school junior said Thursday. "I just didn't have the energy or the time for it."

Larson and his father sued in Milwaukee County Circuit Court seeking the end of summer homework across the state. They argue that homework shouldn't be required after the required 180-day school year is over.

"These students are still children, yet they are subjected to increasing pressure to perform to ever-higher standards in numerous theaters," the suit said.

School administrators have told the family that honors courses require some summer work.

Whitnall School Superintendent Karen Petric told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel the district did its best to address the Larsons' concerns.

"I strongly believe the district acted appropriately and didn't do anything wrong," she said. "Court is not the place to solve it."

While students will probably root for the Larsons, lawyers contacted Thursday questioned the suit's legal grounds. Larson and his son had acted as their own legal counsel.

"This is the sort of thing that has been traditionally handled by school boards," said attorney Thomas R. Schrimpf. Another attorney, Timothy Baldwin, predicted the case would be dismissed.

The January 10 lawsuit names a math teacher, three school administrators and the state's superintendent of public instruction. Wisconsin's attorney general's office will assign a lawyer to respond to the suit, said spokesman Brian Rieselman.

Vohu Manah · Post by **Vohu Manah** » 2005-01-25 12:30am

Yeah, this is just stupid. I remember back in my schools that the course description always explicitly stated if there was pre-assigned course work over the summer. It is made quite clear upfront. I'm waiting to see this tossed out by the judge, it should be humorous. There I go again, I have too much fucking faith in people sometimes.

egyptfrk · Post by **egyptfrk** » 2005-01-25 01:03am

The end of summer work, now that would have made my summers a bit nicer...then again, I know some school districts across the US have switched to year-round school, so summer break is more like just another 3 week vacation. Now sueing the school...eh, good luck, especially without a lawyer...

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2005-01-25 01:14am

They say that only a fool hires himself as his lawyer, and this certainly does nothing to disprove that saying.

Sharp-kun · Post by **Sharp-kun** » 2005-01-25 04:07pm

Oh boo hoo

I'm only in second year at Uni and I'm expected to give up 8 weeks of my summer to a compulsary project. It means I have to carefully plan what I'm going to do this year. I'm not complaining.

Sharpshooter · Post by **Sharpshooter** » 2005-01-25 04:23pm

[Artie]"I actually had to do more work to get into an honors program, WAH!"[/Artie]

Hard to believe it didn't occur to the guy he'd actually have to bust his ass scholastically in order to get in that program. Next thing you know, some idiot's going to be calling for an end of all homework because doing it on top of bagging groceries part-time is too stressful.