There are parents who have received a cease and desist letter. I don’t hear this often, but it does happen. Or they will be threatened with being given one.
Here is one example that went public.
Mom threatened with legal action after questioning B.C. principal who’s now accused of misappropriation
2014 letter from school board lawyer warned against ‘defamatory statements’ about Tricia Rooney
CBC News · Posted: Jan 25, 2023 4:12 PM PST | Last Updated: January 25, 2023
This parent knew something was wrong, and when she was questioning the spending she was served with a cease and desist letter. Years later, Tricia Rooney is investigated for misappropriating funds.
From the article:
“Last week, Lee’s phone “blew up” with messages from fellow parents when news broke that Rooney, also known as Tricia Low, was accused of misappropriating about $170,000 from Britannia Elementary, where she was principal from 2017 to 2020.
Lee says she felt somewhat vindicated by the news, but she was also angry.
“I have to unpack all the feelings that I have,” she said.
The allegations about misappropriation at Britannia are contained in a notice of claim filed against Rooney earlier this month on behalf of the school board, alleging “conversion, theft and fraud” from the tiny east side school. It includes allegations that she stole donated gift cards intended for families in need.”
One parent whom I am aware of, in another province, was served a cease and desist order because they were on a public platform and they were crying over what was happening with their child. The school district wasn’t aware, but this parent had retained a lawyer for over a year and they were building their case. After the cease and desist order, the lawyer hit them with with something so severe, that they would have begged for a human rights complaint. I thought, oooohhhhh these school district lawyers have made a BIG mistake. They had no idea who they were messing with. It’s a risky move for them to send this to a parent. You are poking the bear.
If you get served a letter like this, I would highly suggest you consult a lawyer.
Depending on what they are wanting you to stop doing, if anything, it may be appropriate to use it in your human rights complaint.
Here is my lawyer referral list. There are paid and free options on this list.
Lawyer Referral – Parent Advocacy Tribunal Help (School Advocacy)