Press Release August 12, 2013 Contact: Tim Cowart (325) 247-5486 jtcowart@timcowartlawoffice.com For Immediate Release State District Judge Prohibits Llano ISD from Using CSCOPE Lessons This past Friday, parents, grandparents and taxpayers of Llano County, Texas sought and obtained a Temporary Restraining Order from State District Judge Dan Mills. This Court Order bans the Llano Independent School District (Llano ISD) from the use of CSCOPE Lesson Plans until those plans have been approved by the State Board of Education. A formal hearing will be held on August 16, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. in the District Courtroom of the Burnet County Annex in Burnet, Texas. At that hearing, a State District Judge will allow both sides to be heard and decide whether or not the Temporary Restraining Order should be continued as a Temporary Injunction against Llano ISD. Ultimately, these citizens seek a Declaratory Judgment against Llano ISD that CSCOPE Lesson Plans shall not be used until they have been approved according to the Texas Education Code. Concerns about CSCOPE, especially its potential harm to children, have been raised by citizens across the state to the State Board of Education and the Texas Legislature. The controversial CSCOPE Curriculum was developed by regional educational service centers and was the target of Senate Bill 1406 during the 83rd Texas Legislative Session Senate Bill 1406 passed both Chambers of the Texas Legislature overwhelmingly. Texas Governor Rick Perry signed Senate Bill 1406 into law on June 14, 2013, and it became effective immediately. This new law (Texas Education Code Section 8.0531) states that "...instructional lessons developed as part of a curriculum management system by a regional education service center, acting alone or in collaboration with one or more other regional education service centers, shall be subject to the same review and adoption process as outlined in Section 31.022." (Section 31.022 refers to the review and adoption process by the State Board of Education.) Since the law was enacted, Llano ISD has publicly stated, in the Llano County Journal, that "Teachers in the Llano Independent School District will continue to use the plans if they find it necessary..." and that Llano ISD "...would allow teachers to use existing lessons plans, as well as any other tools available." Tim Cowart, Attorney At Law, represents several concerned taxpayers and parents of children enrolled in Llano ISD. Cowart stated, "My clients are regular folks who are disappointed with the continued acceptance and endorsed use of CSCOPE Lesson Plans by Llano ISD. It is regrettable that we are forced to take this action for the sake of our children." Mr. Cowart's contact information is as follows: Email: jtcowart@timcowartlawoffice.com Llano Office P.O. Box 888 1003 Berry St. Llano, Texas 78643 (325) 247-5486 Marble Falls Office Liberty Hall 119 Ave. G, Suite 101 Marble Falls, Texas 78654 (830) 798-1063 ###