What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? TX
My wife's step-mother works as a teacher aid at a private christian school. Her son (wife's brother, my BIL) also attends school there. He is 17.
After a 5 year long illness, my father in law passed away in May. Brother missed a lot of school as well as my stepmom missed a lot of work at end of last school year. Over the summer break, Brother had to do some make-up work, while most teachers just gave him whatever grade he had when he quit going to school. Stepmom made plans to return to work and her contract was renewed with the school.
Brother decided to not return to the school and attend a public school for his final year of HS. There were issues with some of the staff at the school not being sensitive to the fact that my FIL was dying, not just with him, but with stepmom also. When stepmom informed the school he was not returning, they told her she could not return to work there unless he was attending. They stated it was "policy" and in her contract. I haven't seen the contract, so I don't know what's actually in it, and with the passing of her husband (my FIL), she is too emotionally drained and hurt to pursue anything.
They told her they should get him to return for his senior year because they didn't want to "put widows on the street". If she couldn't get her son to return, they would accept her resignation and tell the board that she could no longer afford the tuition.
The situation is obviously very upsetting to our entire family. My BIL has attended that school since kinder. She is really too distraught and emotionally shocked to really do much without help.
#1: I was told that what the school has done is not legal, because they a) can't bind her to the actions of a 3rd party, and b) due to son's age she couldn't force him even if she wanted to. How would one prove what has transpired? All talks have been over the phone, or in person, so there is not really any "evidence". If she were to fight this, on what grounds would it be?
2#: Under the circumstances, what is the likelihood that she would qualify for unemployment benefits if she were to apply? We've told her at the very least to apply, all they can say is no.
Thank you!
qurice
My wife's step-mother works as a teacher aid at a private christian school. Her son (wife's brother, my BIL) also attends school there. He is 17.
After a 5 year long illness, my father in law passed away in May. Brother missed a lot of school as well as my stepmom missed a lot of work at end of last school year. Over the summer break, Brother had to do some make-up work, while most teachers just gave him whatever grade he had when he quit going to school. Stepmom made plans to return to work and her contract was renewed with the school.
Brother decided to not return to the school and attend a public school for his final year of HS. There were issues with some of the staff at the school not being sensitive to the fact that my FIL was dying, not just with him, but with stepmom also. When stepmom informed the school he was not returning, they told her she could not return to work there unless he was attending. They stated it was "policy" and in her contract. I haven't seen the contract, so I don't know what's actually in it, and with the passing of her husband (my FIL), she is too emotionally drained and hurt to pursue anything.
They told her they should get him to return for his senior year because they didn't want to "put widows on the street". If she couldn't get her son to return, they would accept her resignation and tell the board that she could no longer afford the tuition.
The situation is obviously very upsetting to our entire family. My BIL has attended that school since kinder. She is really too distraught and emotionally shocked to really do much without help.
#1: I was told that what the school has done is not legal, because they a) can't bind her to the actions of a 3rd party, and b) due to son's age she couldn't force him even if she wanted to. How would one prove what has transpired? All talks have been over the phone, or in person, so there is not really any "evidence". If she were to fight this, on what grounds would it be?
2#: Under the circumstances, what is the likelihood that she would qualify for unemployment benefits if she were to apply? We've told her at the very least to apply, all they can say is no.
Thank you!
qurice
