July 27,1999
Dear Dr. Otto:

     This will confirm that an attempt to avoid litigation with the Plano Independent School District has been made by our clients. We attempted to discuss this matter with you on two occasions, yesterday afternoon around 4:00 p.m., and again this afternoon at approximately 1:45 p.m. On both occasions you were unavailable, messages were left for you to return my calls, but no returned call from the district was received by me.

     We contacted your office to request one more time that the Plano Independent School District provide the addition of a specific academic class (a traditional math class of direct instruction which is substantially different from the connected math class) on each of the middle school campuses which had classes where enough parents evidenced sufficient interest in the addition of the class, so as to make it economically feasible to offer the alternative class. We know that the district has teachers who are already trained to provide this type of class for students.

Our lawsuit would also include §1983 claims for violations of free speech and expression, equal protection, and for retaliation for the exercise of constitutionally protected rights.

     We represent parents who are willing to act as class representatives for all of the parents in Plano Independent School District. We are preparing to file a lawsuit on their behalf should such be necessary. The priority and ultimate goal of our clients is seeing that their children's educations are enhanced.

     Our lawsuit would also include §1983 claims for violations of free speech and expression, equal protection, and for retaliation for the exercise of constitutionally protected rights. The following parents: Veronica Jenkins, Alfred Kirke and Kenneth Johnson are willing to waive these rights and compromise all claims if the district is willing to offer the parents of Plano ISD the traditional math class that has been requested. We also know of parents who have withdrawn from the Plano ISD schools because of this matter and hopefully your district would receive these students back if it offered parents a choice.

     I would appreciate receiving an official response from the district by 5:00 p.m. this Friday, July 30, 1999, so as to avoid litigation, if possible.

Very truly yours,

/s/

Allan E. Parker, Jr.

President, Texas Justice Foundation