Hampton Roads Special Education Parent Support Group

My son is a 6th grader at Corporate Landing Middle School in Virginia Beach. He also happens to have autism.

We've had a year full of ups and downs. After a series of incidents where he was on the receiving end of some bullying (physical and verbal) we convened a meeting with the teachers and administration.

I was hoping that this meeting would mark a fresh start and things would improve. Instead, in the two weeks following the meeting, I had to pick him up from school not once but twice with injuries he sustained from unprovoked attacks. After the second attack, my son was disciplined because he "laid hands" on the other child (when he deflected the child's second run at him).

I made a lot of noise at that point. I appealed the disciplinary action (it was upheld and my son served the detention). I talked to the teachers, the administration, my advocate, and even made a statement at the Board of Education.

I asked for a meeting with the principal so she could tell me how she intended to keep my child safe at her school. She told me that she was going to include in the meeting the 8th grade Assistant Principal, who was also in charge of CLMS' Safe Schools Program. I welcomed that.

So imagine my surprise when a man in a black leather vest emblazoned with his affiliation with the Boneshaker's biker gang walked into our meeting and sat down. (Boneshaker's is a self-proclaimed saloon and biker bar in Virginia Beach.)

THIS was the guy in charge of Safe Schools? This guy who was wearing biker gear from a BAR to our meeting?

I was speechless. It took hours for me to wrap my brain around how unprofessional and disrespectful that was. Not only was it breaking at least two of the dress code regulations but it was just downright dismissive of my concerns for my son.

And, what kind of a mixed message does his attire send to the kids in his school? "Do as I say, not as I do" is not a great approach with middle schoolers. No wonder things are out of control at CLMS.

The fact that he didn't seem to know who my son was, and was not familiar with his case only made it worse.

How do I put the safety of my child in the hands of someone who so flagrantly ignores not only school regulations but standards of professional conduct?