Public Education: Making life for the parent as hard as possible...

Grrr.

You know, I've never been a big fan of public education. Their dichotomy and internal politics, for one, has always been nothing more than frivolous, to me.

I have just moved in with my girlfriend, who resides in a town that has a different district (http://www.bluesprings-schools.net/), than my daughters former. Blue Springs Missouri.

I took off of work today, in order to have my daughter registered and ready to start, first thing in the morning. Um, not going to happen. I went to the school and after about 15 minutes of searching for an adult, found the administrative offices. The nice young lady (a student aid - read: teenager), directed me to the counselors office, where I was greeted by another helpful student aid.

I instructed this helpful assistant that I was there to enroll my daughter. Sadly, she couldn't help me, nor was there a counselor available to assist me, she said. "Um, there all at lunch". was her response.

Ok. I am getting frustrated. I asked her to "go and find an adult, that I can speak with". She looked perplexed. "No one is here", she insisted. I have to admire her fortitude, but unfortunately, for her, I am a bit stubborn. I looked around her and peered into an open office, where, a nice portly lady, who was definitely an adult, sat with her back to her open door (cruising eBay on her PC, is my best guess).

I instructed the assistant to go get her.

The lady came to the desk, introduced herself as a counselor. Odd, weren't they all gone? I digress...

I informed her of my intentions of enrolling my daughter. She said that I had to make an appointment. WTF??? Grrr. Anger is setting in. She also instructed me to bring proof of residency, to this appointment, which is when I explain to her, my new living arrangements. Oh, well, no that won't do. I HAVE to prove residency somehow, so I am instructed to go to another area of town and obtain proof.

First, I have to go visit an office called DPS (Department of Public Safety) and somehow prove to them that I live here, now. The utilities, are all in my girlfriend's name. The mortgage, is in her name. How is DPS supposed to provide this "proof" to the district? I wonder. I would ask, but they won't answer their phones (I have to make an appointment with them). Convenient.

After the magical proof has been acquired, they fax the district and then I have to call the school and set up an appointment. Yes. I have to make an appointment, in order to obtain public education, for my daughter. An education that is her right to have, and their obligation to provide. I guess there is no law, stating that they have to make it marginally easy for a parent, to accomplish this. Retards.

So, this afternoon, I will continue to try to contact the DPS office, make that appointment, then make another appointment with the high school, to enroll my daughter. It is 2:14 pm. The day is wasted. I will have to take another personal day, from work, tomorrow.

Thanks Blue Springs Schools! Buttholes.