I know not a soul at CSAS - neither student, parent, nor teacher.

However, it seems obvious that "the Line" would never survive a court challenge. Government agencies cannot delegate their constitutional responsibilities to informal groups of people - this is a long-established legal principle.

Would the Hamilton County School Board's lawyers waste taxpayers' money defending this policy? It doesn't matter whether its "Southern" or not. It is not constitutional.

Are parents in "the Line" prepared to use physical force to eject other parents? Would this not be a violation of both state and federal law? What would Chattanooga police or Hamilton County sheriff's deputies do if called to such a confrontation?

Any parent arriving at the appropriate time (as determined by the school board) to turn in applications has the right to do so without interference from other parents - unless parents in the line wish to be charged with assault or perhaps even federal charges under Section 1983 of the U.S. Code.

John McRoy Davies
Signal Mountain

* * *

Congratulations to the "the line" starters. For what it's worth their "line" that was started over a month early is going to be recognized for admission to CSAS/CSLA.

Is this fair to the parents that as mentioned by another "line" supporter who planned their vacations or what not around the usual line formation time in October? In my humble opinion, no.

As Mr. Davies stated, the formation of this "line" would not stand up in any court of law. The originators of the Aug. 28 "line" did get something accomplished, however. The process will finally get an overhaul...next year. Additionally, the application acceptance period has been moved up by almost a month. I only hope and pray that this change will not cause 'any' chaos at the school on Sept. 18 or anytime before.

Since the line is not school/school board sanctioned what stops John Q. Public from starting another line on Sept. 7 to help secure his child a spot at CSAS/CSLA? With almost 100 names on the now recognized 8/28 list this will most likely deter many parents who'd planned on seeking admission for their upcoming kindergartners in October from even submitting an application. Like many of the parents I encountered in the 2005 line their next option was private school.

This is very unfortunate. I am fairly sure that with all of the attention the potential CSAS/CSLA 2011-2012 Kindergarten class has received their will be a heightened police presence at the school and I only hope and pray that the atmosphere remains representative of what CSAS/CSLA stands for.

Davida Wyatt
CSAS parent and supporter of change