klynnchris11
New Member
Hello. My question is in regards to changing schools of our son whom I share joint physical and legal custody of with his father. My son is in the 7th grade and for the last few years has performed horribly in his academics. Tutoring has not helped. He is on course to be held back this year and not be promoted to 8th grade. When my ex and I divorced in 2005 we both lived in the same school district. In 2007 I moved about 15miles away from his father, but have commuted to his school on those days that he is in my care. Since my ex still lives in the district my son rides the bus to his home after school where I will pick him up after work. My ex has "first point of contact" with my son every day after school and is extremely laxed on what should be expected for his academics. He doesn't have him do homework, nor disciplines for failing grades. There is no regimen at his house, nor is there any repercussions for my son's actions. I ask that my son bring home school work, and he "forgets". I have spoken to all of his teachers and he just refuses to do/or turn in his hw. I enrolled my son in counseling, because I believe that some of his behavior stems from unresolved "divorce issues, as well as the passing of his grandfather". My ex refused to let him continue as he felt that it was a ploy on my part to attack him somehow or use it as leverage. My ex refuses to let our son be tested for a learning disability even though both the counselor and his teachers have stated that he has classic symptoms of inattentive disorder. I want to move our son to my school district so that I may have a better opportunity to monitor his school work…as well as modify custody so that my son is returned to my home every night instead of the overnight with his father on Mon and Tues. Weekend rotation would remain the same. While in his father's care, he is not getting the guidance and structure he needs to in order to be successful at school. Nor is he being taught the importance of education. I have supporting documents from teachers as well as report cards showing my concern is valid. Will the courts look at the fact that my son is failing miserably and has been now for awhile and his father's unwillingness to put the best interest of our son first?