Lee and Aletta Williamson are suing after receiving a series of written reports from their two-year-old son’s preschool. After enrolling the boy at his preschool and he was moved to the 2-year-old classroom in the spring of 2023, the parents reported that their son occasionally sent home four or six behavioral reports, most of which were about “just small things.”
The write-ups at Heritage Preschool in Homewood, Alabama, were for a variety of behaviors, such as refusing to line up and exit the splash pad or being upset when another child took his toy. According to the parents, their oldest kid had never experienced the same problems while attending the same preschool.
Aletta, the boy’s mother who is a higher education professional, told People that the pattern “was very alarming.” “This is not something we are used to.”
RELATED STORIES
The boy’s father, 47-year-old Lee, who works for the federal government, told the source that the incident had an impact on the toddler’s older brother, who couldn’t understand why his sibling was being treated so harshly by his school.
“On the ride to pick his brother up, he’d actually be praying, ‘I hope my brother didn’t get any write-ups today. I hope he had a good day.’ That would just break our heart,” Lee recounted. “I’d go in and pick him up and he’d see me coming out with the write-ups and he’d just be sad and heartbroken for his brother because he felt it wasn’t fair.”
According to the couple, they asked for a meeting with the administrators at Heritage, which is faith-based. School administrators said they would put their child on a two-week “behavior plan.” There would be “next steps” if he didn’t get better, the couple recounted.
“We were hurt; we were shocked by what we were hearing. I told them that I’d worked in higher ed for over 20 years. We know our rights,” Aletta expressed.
She explained that they intended to contact the federal Office for Civil Rights for legal assistance because they believed what happened to their son was unfair. After that, Aletta and her husband cordially thanked the administrators for their time.
When the parents arrived home, they discovered an email informing them that their son had been expelled “due to threat of litigation.” The school mailed the boy’s belongings to them.
READ ALSO: How this grandma’s jealousy turned her into a beloved kids’ content creator
His family now believes he was targeted and “treated differently.” In February 2024, attorney Artur Davis and Public Justice attorneys filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Williamsons, claiming discrimination.
In an earlier statement to local news, the CEO of Heritage Preschools disputed the Williamsons’ story.
“Heritage Preschools has very high standards that we hold ourselves to. We take these allegations very seriously. We are looking forward to the opportunity to refute the allegations contained in this filing, which is currently being addressed by our attorneys,” the CEO said then. “We do not comment on pending litigation, however, we adamantly deny these allegations and we are looking forward to vindicating ourselves in the court of law.”
According to People, the case that is going to trial is just one among hundreds in what outside experts refer to as the nationwide problem of preschool expulsions.
According to statistics, Black boys account for over half of toddlers who are removed more than once, while making up a smaller proportion of students.
Though Heritage has rejected the Williamsons’ charges, the parents vow they will continue to fight.
“The only way that we can bring about change is we have to first take action,” Aletta said. “It’s our job as parents to speak up for our children. If we don’t stand up for our children who will?”
J.W., the Williamsons’ younger son, turned four last month, according to court documents.
“This is about making sure that we stand for all children. The reason we wanted this lawsuit filed is we want to send a message loud and clear,” Aletta remarked. “If you look at their mission, it’s all about tolerance and patience and God’s love. Yet we did not experience that at all. The God that I serve loves all children, regardless of their race.”
Aletta and her husband said they were told by an assistant teacher that their child was being singled out by a White instructor.
