A survey handed out to parents of students at Lester elementary in Jackson, Mississippi, included information on how parent involvement could benefit their children followed by an unusual call for volunteers:
At the first parent teacher conference, the P.T.A. handed out the survey, telling parents where they could be used as volunteers. It was the last option on the page that has some up in arms. A line that read, 'No, I do not want to get involved. I want my children to be thieves, drug addicts and prostitutes.' The survey was written by P.T.A. president, Dr. David Gatlin who says, 'We want people to understand that if they really care about their children, they will get involved in their children's lives and set the proper example for their children.'