[Superman]

Another vote of support for Fred. We love your candor, bro.

Another vote for calm. When I was in private sector sales, the angry cussers did not scare me. The calm voices were much more scary.

I don't agree with the "lawyer-up" nuclear option as a first step. In your shoes, I would continue to read the code, ask questions, and particularly questions about process. What is the grievance procedure? Eventually a lawyer might be needed. Or not.

I am not convinced that formal, legal guardianship is needed. Maybe it is, but this too is a question of process that you could ask. It sounds like he is staying at his aunt's house, minutes from the campus he wants to attend. I think his aunt is the guardian.

Keep asking questions. Calmly. When you communicate with them in writing, it makes them think carefully about their responses to your questions. Ask great questions. Be persistent, asking better and better questions as you learn the process. I will not be surprised if they get tired of telling you no. Instead, finding a path for what you want.

There are plenty of folks who are frustrated with the perception in school districts that every student should prepare for college and attend college. Become an engineer, I suppose. Many of us wish schools would notice the legitimacy of trade careers. In my area, union sheet metal workers earn a straight-time wage/benefit package around $100 per hour. Those jobs cannot be outsourced. Recruiting is challenging, which means pay will increase further. Those are good careers. We have tried to get school districts to see this, with little success.