Parents upset with President's speech

YORK COUNTY, Va. - President Barack Obama wants to talk to your child at school this Tuesday, but the 20 minute, high noon speech seen over the internet has upset many parents.

The President will talk about taking responsibility for your education, setting goals and succeeding, but critics say there's something more.

York County got several emails complaining about Obama's "liberalist" agenda:

"Will it count against my child if he chooses not to watch?"

"We're removing our child from school during this period."

"He's taking advantage of an audience without parental supervision."

The emails came in Wednesday when word went out over the internet, that Obama was speaking.

All 15 Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools will carry President Obama's message live on the internet.

"This is going to be a very constructive message. For our children the message will be study hard, get a good education. You can't beat that message as far as we are concerned," said Greg Davy, Communications Specialist for the Williamsburg-James City County Public School System.

W-JCC Public Schools are giving students the option, though, not to watch the speech. Parents must send a note with their child on the first day of school requesting an "opt out", Davy told WAVY.com. This information is posted on the school system's website.

The President's speech will also be shown in Norfolk schools. Virginia Beach will allow Principals and Teachers to make the call on whether or not to carry the President's message. It will not be mandatory, and children will be allowed to opt-out along with parental notification before Tuesday.

President Obama will be taped for possible later use in Chesapeake, Portsmouth, and Suffolk. The President will not be seen live or on tape in Newport News or York County. Those school systems are encouraging parents to watch the message with children at home.

Superintendent Dr. Eric Williams insists in York County it was more than just the emails that forced the decision not to carry the speech.

"It's the first day of school, and this is a 20 minute speech. It didn't work for us to show it as a live event," he said.