Parents Sue Texas School Over Sex Offender Check System

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(December 1, 2008)—Two parents are suing over a background check system that many Texas schools to use to identify visiting sex offenders.

Yvonne and Larry Meadows say the process violates their privacy and other rights and they're suing the Austin area's Lake Travis school district over a computer system that checks visitors against a sex offender database.

The system scans their driver's licenses, and visitors who don't consent are turned away.

The couple says the computerized checks violate their constitutional rights, including freedom to associate with their children at school and freedom from unreasonable search and seizure.

Neither is listed in the national sex offender database.

Yvonne Meadows said she objected to Bee Cave Elementary School scanning her license because she was concerned about identify theft and a private company collecting her personal information.

The federal lawsuit is believed to be among the first legal challenges to the policy in Texas.

Houston-based Raptor Systems performs background checks for Lake Travis and 5,000 other schools nationwide.

Other Raptor clients in Texas include the Dallas School District and Southside School District in San Antonio.

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Posted by: T.S. Location: TEMPLE on Dec 3, 2008 at 02:02 PM
"Marlin"..Chill..Sounds like you have trouble with authority and their rules.."Hate crimes, terroristic threats and so forth"...why would you want to argue against those being a crime? Like thinking everything will be illegal one day..What is it you are doing or want to do that you are so afraid of it one day being illegal? I agree with you on gun laws but some laws and rules are in place to protect people that cannot protect themselves. Don't start questioning laws and/or rules that protect the youth..no matter how invasive you think they might be...if you do that then everything you have to say after that will have no merit.

Posted by: Connie Location: Abbott on Dec 3, 2008 at 01:28 PM
They would have sued if the school hadn't checked someone and they had a record. Schools are in a no win situation. If people would worry more about their children and what they need to make it in the world today there would be fewer law suits. Schools might then have the money to keep and get better teachers. People are so into getting something for nothing.

Posted by: Marlin Location: Texas on Dec 3, 2008 at 09:34 AM
I am an EXTREMIST when it comes to individual rights. I will always be one. I took an oath to defend the US Constitution, not to defend the laws that are made by feel-good politicians no matter what law it is. This is not even a law. It is a school rule. As for what "C" said to and about me, I couldn't care less. He believes his way, I believe mine. If you really want to klnow the truth, I do not believe the world we live in. EVERYTHING is a crime (felony) now with "Hate Crimes, Terroristic Threats, and so forth. When are you people going to realise that sooner or later EVERYTHING will be illegal. When I was a kid if it wasn't specifically outlawed then it was legal. Now it has to be specifically LEGAL or it will be prosecuted. Another thing, get this one. If the person was convicted as a minor, then that person will NEVER show up on the registry! Don't believe me? Go look at the Texas Criminal Statues! So since roughly half were minors this is not effective. Now go ahead an laugh!

Posted by: Michael Location: Waco on Dec 3, 2008 at 09:15 AM
I understand the concern but most of you seem to be really quick to think that these parents are trying to beat the system just to get in the school to attack your children. Wow talk about paranoid!!! TO C in Copperas Cove: Never have I seen ANY establishment much less McDonalds require they you write a SSN number on your check. If someone is stupid enough to do that than they deserve to get their identity stolen. I don't know how public your DL number is but chances are your DL number IS probably written on most of your checks. Really what is the big deal with scanning your DL to identify yourself. Personally I'm more worried about kids getting shot at school than sexually attacked.

Posted by: Rose Location: Belton on Dec 3, 2008 at 08:46 AM
*lol @ Marlin* Pick your battles a letter better. I'm all for individual rights but your opinion on this one seem a little skewed to the fundametalist extremist.

Posted by: Yep Location: Cove on Dec 3, 2008 at 07:51 AM
Idiots - Your 15 minutes are over, go back to your rock

Posted by: Gail TX Location: CenTex on Dec 3, 2008 at 07:35 AM
Oh and if something happens to any of the children they are going to cry that the school should have done more to protect them.

Posted by: Texas Location: Texas on Dec 2, 2008 at 06:49 PM
It's people like these who scream rights violations evertime someone farts in their vicinity. Prolly havent worked a day in the last 20 years and live off of the misfortune of others anyway. My advice to the agrieved parents...get a frikking life and homeschool your kids. I for one am glad our school district checks ID when someone enters the school. Put on your big kid underoos and deal with it. Bet they would be the first screaming foul play if a molester got through too.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 2, 2008 at 06:39 PM
i agree with Just sayin is all

Posted by: C Location: Copperas Cove on Dec 2, 2008 at 05:03 PM
To Marlin, I am not one to judge but are you an idiot!! Every credit card you get, movie you rent, license you obtain puts you in a database. That is how your qualifications are tracked. I bet you don't complain when McDonalds makes you write your SSN on the check for that big mac. This is to protect our kids from preditors, which are far more common that we like to think. This also shows the school who is in the school at any one time. You DO NOT have to show your driver's license, just a state issued ID. As a law enforcement officer I am thankful for these checks, and yes I do have to show my state issued ID to have lunch with mine, but to me the protection of my child it most important. No it is not a violation of the constitution, Search and seizure, read the constitution and maybe you will learn something. I bet you show your ID when you cash checks so stop defending the ones that don't care about the children, just their short inconveince.

Posted by: just a mom on Dec 2, 2008 at 04:15 PM
To marlin: Let the Government bring it on. If it keeps the children of our country safe, the let it be. I guess if there is a problem with scanning your license before you enter the school, then the school should have the right to post a poster with all names of sex offenders in the county on the door that you walk in. Hey, that's an idea. That way no one has to worry about their privacy being violated the way a child's privacy was violated when a creep on the list molested them.

Posted by: T.S. Location: TEMPLE on Dec 2, 2008 at 03:30 PM
To the paranoid d*p sh*t in Marlin...GET OVER IT....that is a little exaggeration don't you think. They are trying to protect our children...Including yours!

Posted by: Just sayin is all Location: Ft Hood on Dec 2, 2008 at 03:13 PM
Hey Marlin - I agree with you on the gun laws. I seriously disagree with you on the invasion of privacy, but I know where you are going. Give in a little, they will always want more. But in this case I will err on the side of the kids. Just be vigilent for more.

Posted by: RT Location: Temple on Dec 2, 2008 at 02:48 PM
To Marlin...How is it an invasion of privacy when everything obtained in these scans are public record?

Posted by: Sick of the Sickos Location: Waco on Dec 2, 2008 at 02:04 PM
Just because they're not "registered" does not mean they are not sex offenders. They are, however, one of two things: 1. they are looking for a child to molest, or 2. they think they can make a quick buck by screaming "my rights are being violated!". Maybe they are both. As a parent, I am always for taking extra precautions to PROTECT my children from the weirdos......... every school should have this system in place. If one child is saved, then I don't care if they DO violate an adult's "privacy rights".

Posted by: cc Location: waco on Dec 2, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Sure they should be allowed to see THEIR children but I wouldn't want them seeing MINE, would you?? I'm sorry I just don't see where something this simple as showing your driver's license is "unreasonable search & seizure" ... wonder what they tell the Officer who pulls them over -- no, you can't see my driver's license?? I doubt it.

Posted by: mom of 3 Location: Temple on Dec 2, 2008 at 12:16 PM
I should say also that the school my kids attend does lock every door but the front one (from the outside only) so visitors have to enter and check in before roaming around the campus.

Posted by: Marlin Location: Texas on Dec 2, 2008 at 12:16 PM
To my 50 cents: Been reading the Brady Campaign Against Gun Ownership again have you? Every time someone passes pro-gun laws, the Brady Bunch start hollering "WILD WEST SHOOTOUTS IN THE STREET"! They have been proven wrong every time. If open carry caused shootouts then 44 states would be having the shootouts daily. Fourty Four States already allow it. The ONLY places we have street shootouts is in the RESTRICTED ANTI-GUN STATES AND CITIES. Look at Chicago, Washington DC, New York, THE ENTIRE STATE OF CALIFORNIA....I could go on, but you obviously stopped reading when the truth was stated.

Posted by: mom of 3 Location: Temple on Dec 2, 2008 at 12:13 PM
Anon: Are you kidding? They shouldn't be allowed to see their kids either, but CERTAINLY not mine. At my kids' school if you are a sex offender then you can see your kid and your kid ONLY. You have to be secluded from the general population while you see them, according to the TISD handbook. I WISH they had this kind of system here. They just want their 15 minutes of fame.

Posted by: Marlin Location: Texas on Dec 2, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Hey, all you people that are saying "If you don't have anything to hide, what's the problem?" The problem is. It's an invasion of privacy, it is an accusation without merit, illegally stopping any parent who does not submit meekly to survelence from seeing their children. IF WE ALLOW THE GOVERNMENT TO CONTROL US, SCAN US, PHOTOGRAPH US, PUT US IN A DATABASE, FINGERPRINT US, AND OTHERWISE "MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT A DANGER TO THE CHILDREN" THEN THEY WILL BE SAFE RIGHT? NO! HOW FAR ARE YOU PEOPLE WILLING TO GO? ARE YOU WILLING TO ALLOW THE GOVERNMENT TO TRACK YOUR EVERY MOVE? MONITOR YOUR TELEPHOINE & EMAIL? PLACE A CAMERA/MICROPHONE IN YOUR BEDROOM, LIVINGROOM, DINING ROOM, & DECIDE WHICH MOVIES FOR YOU TO SEE? IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO HIDE WHY NOT ALLOW ANY INTRUSION THE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO DO? It's called CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. Allow the government to discard one and all are threatened. I applaud these parents who are sueing (and I have kids too) and would be sueing them myself!

Posted by: a mom Location: Texas on Dec 2, 2008 at 11:51 AM
I want my children to be safe. If you don't want your license scanned why don't you keep your kids at home and homeschool them?

Posted by: Just sayin is all Location: Ft Hood on Dec 2, 2008 at 11:17 AM
I can tell you this. If MY child were attending the same school as these two I would sue THEM for attempting to endanger MY child. See how these two nitwits like it.

Posted by: Mother Location: Waco on Dec 2, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Children need to be safe these days, bottom line. How would you feel if your child had been around a child molester and there was nothing you could do about it? Children have to go to school they dont have a choice and parents cant go to school with them to keep them safe. It is our job as parents to keep our children safe and protect them from people like that!

Posted by: momof1 on Dec 2, 2008 at 08:25 AM
To anon: you said that these people ( meaning sex offenders) should be allowed to see their children? i dont agree with that but even so those people DO NOT have the right to be around my child or anyone elses. i dont want any child molester/ predator in a school around ANY children. to me they have no rights.

Posted by: william Location: waco on Dec 2, 2008 at 12:05 AM
To Anon. Don't blame the children? Child molesters should not have the right to visit the school where their children are in attendance. They should not have the right see their own children. They are child molesters, keep them away from all children. What are you thinking??? Keep scanning the D.L. If they don't like it they can take their children somewhere else. What makes them think the majority should be put at risk because of the thinking of the minority morons???

Posted by: waco Location: waco on Dec 1, 2008 at 11:10 PM
Yvonne and Larry, lets say if the system was not in place and someone entered the school your child attends and something happens? You would probably be suing the school for not doing a background check on all who enters the school. Wake up people, they school is protecting our kids too...don't be so selfish!

Posted by: Diane Location: Texas on Dec 1, 2008 at 11:08 PM
No one is keeping your kids safe. You just think they are. Well, according to the latest press release you all are raising a bunch of lying, thieving, cheating, little critters anyway. BTW, where do you think future sickos come from. They aren't created in some lab experiment you know. I think I'll sue my old school district because I'm not making a billion dollars a year like they said I would.

Posted by: Child protector Location: Killeen on Dec 1, 2008 at 10:10 PM
I purchased this system for a school and I can assure you that it is better to have adults scanned than to assume everyone is safe and hope that our children are protected. We do not limit adults that are in the system from visiting their child, we simply escort them so that we know that our children are in a secure facility. What more could you ask for?

Posted by: momof1 on Dec 1, 2008 at 09:40 PM
another waste of tax payer money for a stupid lawsuit from stupid people. be glad someone is keeping your kids safe if you object there is no telling what kind of people you let around your kids. they would also sue if their child got molested at school because something wasnt checked out. what morons

Posted by: Just another mom on Dec 1, 2008 at 08:59 PM
I wish Leon ISD would put a system like this in our offices. If you are not guilty of anything or associate with someone who is, then what is the problem? They should also background search for anyone with drug charges. I would feel a lot safer knowing my children were being protected like this.

Posted by: Hank Location: Texas on Dec 1, 2008 at 08:48 PM
Think about it. Alot of times when you use a credit card or write a check; what do you do? You are required to show your DL. I'm a principal in a local district and I can tell you..... the program makes our campus safer. Is the process take a little extra time for for processing, however, parents have been willing to wait. It's a no win situation for districts. These parents need to get a life and allow the school to do what it takes to make it safe for the students.

Posted by: Re Location: Waco on Dec 1, 2008 at 08:46 PM
OMG! Give me a break! I am ALL for this process. Thats like a slap in the face to schools everywhere who are enforcing this to keep our kids safe. I'm sorry, but my childs safety over my so called "invasion of privacy" is more important to me. I bet if someone slipped up and ,God forbid, something happened to thier child, they would think twice. They are wasting thier time, money, and energy fighting this. And I hope the judge dismisses this case.

Posted by: Patriot Location: Texas on Dec 1, 2008 at 08:04 PM
Now, if something bad happened to these two moron's kids, they feel like the fools they are.

Posted by: Jeanette Glover Location: Killeen on Dec 1, 2008 at 07:24 PM
these two people are out of their minds. I feel the authorities really need to question these people. They're running a scam . Every school have the right to protect and safe gaurd children from preditors. Especially sex offender. GET OVER IT YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE IS A FORM OF IDENTIFICATION. YOU MUST COMPLY TO THE RULE. THINK ABOUT THE SAFETY FOR THE SCHOOL KIDS. MY QUESTION TO THESE TWO PEOPLE WHAT ARE YOU CONCILING ON DL???? DO YOU KNOW HOW IT FEEL TO BE RAPED?

Posted by: Tony Location: Waco on Dec 1, 2008 at 06:48 PM
SELFISH, SELFISH, SELFISH!!! These parents should be thankful! These would be the same parents that would sue the school if they DID NOT have this background check system. Hopefully, a judge with some common sense will throw their case out and give them a good tongue lashing.

Posted by: Anon Location: Waco on Dec 1, 2008 at 06:45 PM
I understand what these parents are thinking. Despite whether they are sex offenders or not should not be a way to see your child at school. I understand that it is a security issue for the other children, but if they are found to be a sex offender then why cant they not have to have another adult with him/her. That person should have the same right to see their child at school. It is not the child's fault that their parent is sick. It is a school for crying out loud and not a prison. Think about the children.

Posted by: p Location: temple on Dec 1, 2008 at 04:16 PM
Hey times are bad everywhere, guess they're trying to make a pay day some how. I would not mind sliding my DL or ID so that everyones' children are safe. Like they say it only take a second. Go Austin ISD.. you have my support.

Posted by: Imagine Location: Waco on Dec 1, 2008 at 03:39 PM
I think the police should look a little closer at these parents. It just is not normal to want to protect your children unless you are afraid you will get caught doing something wrong.

Posted by: me Location: copperas cove on Dec 1, 2008 at 02:31 PM
It's about keeping our children and schools safe. To me thats worth more then anyone's identity.

Posted by: Tex on Dec 1, 2008 at 02:18 PM
Who knows if someone is a law abiding citizen or not? You can't go on someone's word,cause we all know no one ever lies about their backgrounds,so get over it!, It's the world we live in today.

Posted by: Yep Location: Cove on Dec 1, 2008 at 01:46 PM
Where is the contitution does it have "freedom to associate with their children at school"? And freedom from unreasonable search and seizure? Unless it also says freedom from background checks, these two idiots are......idiots. Friggin Idiots.

Posted by: Anonymous1 Location: Waco on Dec 1, 2008 at 01:24 PM
I understand both sides. If you are a lawful abiding citizen, I understand not feeling the need to be scanned BUT the school needs to implement something to hold perpetrators accountable when they show up on campus...I would rather scan my ID and see my kid than run the risk of putting my child in harms way. Maybe these ladies just need to weigh out the options. If you dont like it, switch schools.

Posted by: Rocketmom Location: Robinson on Dec 1, 2008 at 01:12 PM
I can't believe these people...All campuses in Robinson ISD have the Raptor system and I am glad they do. As a parent this system provides additional peace of mind when I drop my children off at school each day. I would much rather have this system in place and run the risk of having my identity stolen instead of letting some "Sicko" go parading into my child's campus and having free reign to do as they please!!!! If Robinson ISD and all of the other districts trust this system, I feel safe having my license scanned and know that my information is safe.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 1, 2008 at 01:12 PM
give me a break just someone looking for money. keep the kids safe you idiots.

Posted by: Lynn Location: Temple on Dec 1, 2008 at 01:05 PM
I would want some assurances that the license is simply being scanned and compared against a data base...but I would imagine any information available via a driver's license is public information anyway and available through a variety of other public sources. I've heard this system automatically alerts the police department if an offender attempts to enter a school. I can't imagine what parent would think this was a bad thing! Someone has to stand up and protect our children.

Posted by: William Location: Salado on Dec 1, 2008 at 01:03 PM
I am glad that the Salado ISD uses a tracking system also, we have a registered Sex Offender that has a child in our school district and plenty of parents including myself have raised concerns over his presence with our children, he claims that he has done his time and is no longer on probation, but I believe that once an offender always one. He is not allowed to be around anyone but his kids under supervision. To the parents that have a problem with the tracking system get over it, unless you have something to hide there is nothing wrong with it, two against the masses loses in my book any day, as long as the Supreme Court sees it that way then we are safe, but if they go in favor of these parents then I believe that the rest of us should sue them if anything happens to our children.

Posted by: Rose Location: Belton on Dec 1, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Can't imagine how anyone would find this invasive? What can these folks be thinking. They value their right to privacy more than the well being of the children at that school??? Incredible!

Posted by: Rachel Location: Waco on Dec 1, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Obviously these parents have never experienced the devastation of sexual abuse. If they had, then they would applaud the school for taking this measure. It only takes a second or two for a child to be violated and emotionally damaged for the rest of their lives. Shame on these individuals that dont see the benefit of such a program! I was sexual molested for 11 years. I am 27 today, and I daily battle the scars from these events. I fear sending my children to school for this very reason, and a progam like this would give me some sense of peace. I hope they loose and loose miserably!

Posted by: Grandma Susie Location: Lampasas County on Dec 1, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Baloney, NORMAL parents are pleased that the schools are working harder to keep the kids safe, I'll bet that is an Austin-Liberal Transplant from the northeast that's making the fuss!.

Posted by: mother Location: texas on Dec 1, 2008 at 11:29 AM
And They will be the first to raise HE** when a sex offender gets in the school and hurts one of the kids.Dam* if you do and Dam* if you dont... sorry moms I would want to know my kids are safe.

Posted by: john Location: moody on Dec 1, 2008 at 11:20 AM
I am glad Moody ISD uses this, to help protect the kids, if nothing to hide why not like the check system GOOD Money spent.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 1, 2008 at 11:04 AM
the school my granddaughter goes to scans my license everytime I go and I am glad they are doing it. it also keeps other people from going in the school and taking children with permission. if you have nothing to hide y should you object to it.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 1, 2008 at 10:56 AM
GOOD THEY NEED TO GOTTA KEEP THOSE SICKO'S AWAY FROM OUR KIDS ANYWAYS. GUESS THE PEOPLE SUEING HAVE SOMETHING TO HIDE, HUH! SICK PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 1, 2008 at 10:38 AM
You've got to be kidding! Unreasonable search and seizure?!? They want to stop a system that helps keep their children safe? We all have rights, but my right to keep my children safe outweighs anyone elses right to freely go into a school. It seems they want to live in a society with no laws and no structure.

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