A parent in the Grosse Pointe (Mich.) district who has been banned from several school campuses is suing the district to overturn the ban.
The Detroit Free Press reports that Steve Saigh, a Grosse Pointe Woods resident, states in his lawsuit that he was banned in October from several campuses for making critical comments about administrators and questioning their decisions.
In addition, Saigh was told his emails to the district would be blocked, the suit contends.
Saigh is asking a Wayne County judge to lift the ban, in part, because his son plans to attend Grosse Pointe North High in the fall as a freshman, and there is an open house next week.
Saigh argues that the district doesn't have the authority to kick him off campus simply because it doesn't like him.
The Grosse Pointe school superintendent, Gary Niehaus, contends that Saigh has done much more than mouth off to employees. In a letter addressed to Saigh, Niehaus implied the parent’s behavior was threatening and characterized Saigh’s actions as "mean, nasty and uncalled for."
He was even "seen to be carrying a concealed pistol at a North High School athletic event," Neihaus alleges.
Saigh's attorney, Michael Schwartz, says that his client did not bring a gun to school and added that if that were true, Niehaus should have filed a police report.
In the lawsuit, Saigh acknowledges that he has been critical, but says he has not been violent.
Schwartz said that he and his client tried to resolve the conflict with Niehaus face to face in November, but were unsuccessful.
"We regret to impose these restrictions and limitations upon you, and we will certainly endeavor not to permit them to affect the continuing education of your son," Neihaus said in his letter to Saigh. "As Superintendent, however, I cannot and will not tolerate further intimidation and harassment of District employees."
