News Release From Travis Faber—
(3-20-19) Recently, Staff Sergeant Janice Holdheide attempted to speak to the Celina City School Board meeting about the actions that the school, her alma mater, has taken against Tyler Carlin. Unfortunately, she was turned away and told that she would not be allowed to speak on the matter.
Carlin’s attorney Travis Faber
“First and foremost, the Carlin family would like to recognize that Staff Sergeant Holdheide is an American hero who served multiple combat tours in Iraq. She fought for the same rights that the Celina City School District is attempting to strip from Tyler. The Carlin family wholeheartedly thanks Staff Sergeant Holdheide for her service and the sacrifices she has made, as well as her recent support of Tyler. We have been continually overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of support from the community and our local veterans for Tyler’s cause.”
The Carlins believe that Staff Sergeant Holdheide, like every American, has a constitutional right to stand up at a public meeting and speak about her beliefs regarding the actions her local government is taking. This includes the actions the Celina City School District has taken against Tyler for bringing a Battlefield Cross to school. This right is clearly protected under the 1st Amendment.
The Celina City School District’s assertion that the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) barred them from allowing Staff Sergeant Holdheide to speak at their meeting is in no way supported by the law.
“The school district’s claim that they cannot allow a private citizen to speak is nonsensical, and such an inaccurate claim only underlines the issues that we have been dealing with from day one.”
A review of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act shows that nothing in the law would restrict the school from allowing private citizens from speaking at a public meeting during a meeting’s public comment section.
“Staff Sergeant Holdheide more than earned her right to speak on the battlefields of Iraq, just as she has fought for and earned the rights of the citizens she’s continuing to stand up and defend. The school board’s attempt to silence her is disrespectful to her service and the service of her brothers and sisters in arms.”
Regarding the school district’s request that the family waive their son’s FERPA rights, which protect every students’ private and confidential information, Faber said he has reached out to the school’s attorney to let the school know the family would work with them on a case-by-case basis to release information and evidence.
“Considering that we believe the school has already violated FERPA and that they have changed their story regarding the reason for Tyler’s suspension, we cannot sign an overly broad release that will give them free reign to disclose Tyler’s private information. their false claims regarding what an Iraq War veteran could say at their public meeting highlights the risk we would put Tyler in by handing the school a blank check to release Tyler’s private information.”
Faber’s claim that the school has changed their reasoning behind Tyler’s suspension are backed up by documents provided by the school.
“The family was originally told that Tyler was suspended for bringing a look-a-like firearm to school, but after the family made clear that they would fight the suspension, they were then told, in contradiction to the earlier communications, that he was suspended for insubordination. Based on this past conduct, I don’t know if they are going to tell the story they told when Tyler was handed his suspension, the story they told after the Carlin’s took issue with the suspension, or a new story they came up with after the public outcry surrounding their actions.”
Faber ended by saying that the family will continue to work with the school’s attorney to resolve this matter as soon as possible, pointing out that they have requested to meet with the school board on multiple occasions.
“Sometimes people just need to use common sense and admit when they made a mistake”.
Mercer County Outlook 
Last year my son was kicked off the bus for 2 days by Mrs. Eslestein (however you spell her name, principal for Jr. High). When I went to pick him up, she could not give me a reason why he was kicked off the bus, it took 2 days for her and the bus driver to give me a reason. Their reason was that “he poured water on the seat and wiped his name off a chalk board”. I know for a fact that my son did not have water on the bus, I dropped him off at the bus stop each morning. It was also raining that day and he stated that his window was leaking. I told her I was calling the superintendent because this was not the first time my son had dealt with ridiculous crap from them. Two hours later she calls and leaves a message claiming something completely different than what she initially told me. The superintendent called me back and gave me the same response to which I replied “funny that AFTER I informed her that I was calling you, she changes her story, sounds like CYA to me”. This is just ONE example of the bullcrap my son dealt with. No hes not perfect, yes he had some issues. But they singled him out. He could NEVER do anything right with them. He was labeled and bullied by the staff. Even had felony 2 charges brought against him because he brought a block of wood to school to give his teacher! We moved him to Wapak schools and havent had an issue. His grades are great now (all A’s and B’s, in celina it was D’s and F’s), his teachers brag about him and constantly talk about how good he is doing, how hes ahead in all his classes, etc. Its amazing how just changing to a school that actually CARES about its students and not just how influential the student’s parents are makes such a big difference. This school is a joke, it needs a new board and mrs. E. Needs removed! I hope the results of this helps the community see what a horrible district this is. Ive had people I’ve never met, who live in Wisconsin and Minnesota, say “oh you are in Ohio? Your son must go to Celina City Schools. Worse district in the nation!” Its sad that its known across the country how bad this place is. Sorry so long.
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This is total bull! Mrs. E is totally loved by students and faculty! I am so tired of parents that think their kids do no wrong. I can’t even imagine how hard it is to look over so many kids everyday and I am sure they don’t always make the right decision on every incident. Parents don’t either and they aren’t dealing with hundreds of kids! If parents started supporting the teachers and realize they aren’t perfect and neither are their kids it would stop all this drama!
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Your comments cut both ways. You stated that the faculty doesn’t always make the right decision on every incident and that parents don’t either but you only require the parents to realize they aren’t perfect. When teachers and faculty start practicing what you are preaching and admit when THEY are wrong and do not become history revisionists in order to change their reasoning for the discipline, then they will get the support you so desire.
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Tyler was given [ permission] by teacher to do and bring in project . TEACHER should be the one being corrected not the student…..What is wrong with this picture
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In regard to the situation with Tyler and his project. I am the mom to 2 veterans that gave a lot of years for our country and for that I am proud of their sacrifice and safe return home.
Unlike many mom’s that were not so fortunate I command Tyler in the project that he was showing. I am sure he put some thought into this project.
Now to the fact that he cannot go on the upcoming 8th grade trip…I believe that if the Celina school district feels that way then all of the students should not be allowed to visit any of the monuments or anything that shows honor to our veterans!!
Isnt that what the school board is saying to these students???
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