The following letter to the editor by Johnston Tobey Baruch shareholder Chad Baruch was published in the Dallas Morning News on November 13, 2015:
Michael and Laura McIntyre agree the state has an interest in ensuring education for all children. They do not believe this permits a school district to harass home school families or require any particular curriculum.
This paper’s editorial about the McIntyres acknowledged allegations from family members of “lax standards” and awaiting “rapture.” But it neglected to mention that those family members were fighting the McIntyres in bitter litigation for control of the family business.
The editorial says the district was “rebuffed” when it asked for documentation that the children were receiving “bona fide” education. But the school district demanded the McIntyres either sign a form pledging to use a curriculum meeting Texas Education Agency requirements (even though TEA disavows any role in overseeing home school curricula) or submit their curriculum for district review (even though TEA says home school parents need not submit to review).
The McIntyres have never resisted educating their children. They believe passionately in education for all children. But they also believe the school district overstepped its legal bounds.
Chad Baruch, Garland