A new threat to Public School Authority

This is the second one of these cases I have seen.

School Sues Woman For Criticism On Blog

This was the first, where the school board eventually dropped their threat.

However, having read the reports on what happened since the above threat drop, enough attention has been brought to rise to this level.

My interest in this is more than just blogger's being a pain. I am curious to see if bloggers may be able to accomplish something that disgruntled teachers, disgruntled school administrators (yes, they may be few, but they exist), disgruntled parents and disgruntled unions (not sure about that one) have never been able to accomplish.

About 18 years ago, someone "took me aside" and told me that "the School system is very powerful". I was told I should be careful. I was told that "they" don't lose.

The HCDS is just one of many School systems. However, I have since analyzed events and actions that I hear or read about taken by all school boards from a "power and authority" perspective. I don't understand how they get it. I don't understand how it can be so broad. I don't understand how it is so difficult to contest it.

They can take command of so many behaviors for students, teachers and parents. They can take command of behaviors that are on school property and off school property. They can take command of behaviors on school time or off school time. They have the power to have students, teachers and parents arrested in any of the above settings. Or they can absolve themselves of responsibilities with an apparent fearless stance.

And this power is almost absolute.

The media is full of stories of how school systems have demonstrated this power and authority.

Technology is affording information to more people much faster. I am curious to how bloggers have an effect on school system's power and authority.


Update:

I was perusing the local blogs and this seemed either fortuitous, serendipitous or coincidental
If you read all of it, one can make this connection which compliments my thoughts on school systems power and authority. Is it abused?

What got my attention was the comment or question about how the School Board appeals are handled. I would be interested to know if the School Board has to vote to authorize appeals. If so, did they vote to appeal both of the Erwin and the Whitehead cases? Was there testimony by Board members in both of these cases that indicated they knew of the appeal?

Just askin'