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Show Marion Family Wants Educational Freedom, Forms Private School '' , I : ' .. t i f 'i ', . ; . - L.,., , - ' i ' . . -' f - f, c v r j 1 Mrs. Vicky Singer with Israel, Ben, Joseph, Charolette, Timmy, Suzy and Heidi in front of the Singer schoolhouse in Marion of whether they (Singer children) are receiving the proper education educa-tion under Utah law." And Christiansen added, "They are very sincere, very honest, good people who are trying to do what they think is right. It's obvious there is a lot of love in the family. In no respect are the kids being neglected, except for education." Following the psychologist's visit to Marion to examine the family, the psychologist said the Singers had "a bunch of real nice children," according to Mr. Singer. Meanwhile, John and Vicky Singer continue to teach the children their lessons. Mrs. Singer said she teaches the younger children in the house, including Arithmetic and Reading, Read-ing, while John Singer instructs in the family's school house nearby. The Book of Mormon is taught regularly. "We have an educational center here," said Vicky Singer as she pulled out spelling books and arithmetic workbooks from the shelf inside her house. Like her husband, Mrs. Singer does not believe in a regimented structure when teaching her children, although it is obvious she does feel it is important to acquire a firm knowledge of the "basic" courses, such as reading, writing and arithmetic. John and Vicky Singer are deeply religious people, which accounts for one of the main reasons they will not allow their children to attend school in the South Summit District. And more importantly, they want to teach their children in a way which will be most beneficial to them. Whatever happens in the days ahead, there is one thing which will probably not occur: and that is the Singer children attending school in the district. They will more than likely remain with their parents, and be taught in the little school house which was built for them by their father. there is a possibility that Mr. and Mrs. Singer will be held in contempt of court for not fully complying with Judge Bachman's orders to be examined. Earlier, the Singers were fined $299 and given 60 day jail terms for neglecting to send their children to school in the district, which the court had instructed them to do. Judge Bachman later gave them an exemption of the fine and jail term and allowed the children to be taught at home providing they agreed to the examination by the psychologist. Terry Christiansen told the Record that Superintendent Edd-rington Edd-rington requested State Superintend Superin-tend of Public Instruction, Walter Talbot, to look into the matter. Dr. Talbot apparently asked the State's Attorney General, Robert Hansen, to render an opinion concerning the Singer children. Terry Christiansen said he will closely examine the Attorney General's opinion and more than likely follow his decision. If the Singers are found in contempt of court this Tuesday in Coalville, they could possibly be fined $299 and also incarcerated for 60 days. The disposition in Juven ile Court will begin at 3:30 p.m. At press time, Superintendent Eddrington was not available for comment. "My children will never go to school in the school district. I told the Judge this. It scares me to have them go to school in the district," said Mr. Singer. Mr. Singer expressed respect forjudge Bachman, saying, "The Judge is a very decent individual. He could have dealt much more harshly." Singer hopes his problems with the South Summit School District are now over, considering the recent formation of his private school, but added, "I like to have everything settled, so everyone can leave the courtroom with their heads up high." As Terry Christiansen told the Record recently, "It's a question As a result of growing pressure from the South Summit School Board and Superintendent Val Eddrington, a Marion, Utah family has tried to completely sever ties with the educational system by establishing their own private school. John Singer has refused to allow his five school-age school-age children to attend school in the South Summit School District. For the past four years, he and his wife, Vicky, have taught their children in their own home and also in an airy one room school house Mr. Singer built in the aspens a few yards from the house. The name of Singer's private school is "High Uintas Academy, Incorporated." Singer told the Record he applied for the formation of his private school to Lt. Governor Monson only a few weeks ago and that he received the proper papers recently which authorizes him to operate the school. John Singer explained he was forced to- establish his own school because he objected to the lack of religious training his children were receiving in the district, as well as to the regimented procedure in which classes were conducted. He and his wife both feel they can give their children a better education if they were taught at home. "I figured this (establishing a private school) is the best way to go in order to by-pass an awful lot of hassle," said Mr. Singer. He added, "This way, I am enrolling my children in a private school." But the battle to keep his children at home could become more intense on November 1 when the Singers will appear in Juvenile Court at Coalville before Judge Kent Bachman. According to Assistant Summit County' attorney, Terry Christiansen, the entire Singer family was ordered by the court to be examined by a psychologist in order to determine deter-mine the educational progress of the children and the mental capacity of their instructor parents. pa-rents. The five children were examined, but, Mr. Singer refused to comply unless members mem-bers of the South Summit School Board were also examined under similar conditions. John Singer said he was not ashamed of being tested by a psychologist, adding, "Since they (school board members) mem-bers) are questioning me of my ability to either teach or raise my children, why not find out how far the school board has progressed? Let's have these things on both sides checked out a little bit." Christiansen, who is handling the case for the prosecution, said |