Judge limits dad’s access to his daughter’s school

A Pulaski County circuit judge on Wednesday ordered a Little Rock father to have no contact with the principal of his daughter’s school, ruling that 53-year-old Russell “Russ” Racop of Little Rock had engaged in harassing behavior against Felecia Hamilton of Chenal Elementary School.

Any complaints Racop has against Hamilton can only be submitted through the procedures established by the Pulaski County Special School District and the state Department of Education, Judge Kyle Wilson ruled. But he declined to impose more sweeping restrictions on Racop’s access to the school, which had been sought by the district.

The school system petitioned the court last week for an injunction to restrict Racop’s access to the campus and to Hamilton over accusations he had been harassing her the previous week by sending e-mails, posting signs by the school and mailing a photograph to her home, all of which accused her of being a liar. School district attorney Jay Bequette said the district has rarely taken such court action against a parent.

1 In the 2 ⁄ 2- hour hearing, Racop denied wrongdoing, saying the district’s legal action was actually an attempt at suppressing his efforts to complain about Hamilton.

He accused her of giving preferential treatment to his estranged wife, Stephanie Racop — who is a teacher at the school — involving their daughter, a first-grade student. The couple is divorcing, and Russell Racop, the noncustodial parent, said he has been trying to participate in his daughter’s education.

The judge said a photograph of a man’s hand with the word “liar” written on it that had been mailed to Hamilton’s home was harassment. Racop denied being responsible for the photograph and said school officials had exaggerated the number of e-mails he sent.

Under Wilson’s order, Racop is only allowed at the school for teacher conferences that have been arranged at least a day in advance. He also can attend school functions that are open to all parents. His attendance also must comply with orders from the ongoing divorce case.

The judge also heard testimony about an altercation between Russell Racop and the process server who delivered notice of the lawsuit against him on Monday.

Louis Keller testified that Racop chased him out of his yard with an activated electric stun gun, causing him to fall on the ground.

Racop said Keller was the aggressor, striking him with a flashlight and spraying him with a chemical. He said the device he showed to Keller was his phone, which was equipped with an application to simulate the sound of a stun gun.

Both men testified they have filed complaints with Little Rock police.