#LetterToTheEditor #YourVoice #SpotlightNews
Editor,
I believe the Ravena Coeymans Selkirk School District and the Albany County sheriff were smart to take precautions they did in the RCS teen video case to make sure that was no real threat. However, the news reports said there was no direct threat to the school in the video and it was considered safe to release the teens in the custody of their parents so the criminal cases should be dropped now.
The video could be considered bad art work like a lot of R-rated movies. A federal judge will probably find the video is protected under the First Amendment so the teens’ parents may be able to sue the county if charges are not dropped quickly. A lot will depend if the teens’ parents can afford a good lawyer.
It will probably be worth the cost for the school district to keep the teens suspended for a long time because it could be disruptive to have them return to school. In this state if a student is suspended more than a week, school districts must provide, at the district’s expense, a tutor if the parent’s parents request one. This is to insure suspended students do not fall behind in school.
I am glad our local officials are keeping a close eye on things.
Carl Green,
Colonie