She thought she was nothing more than a concerned parent.

When Tammy Manko of Freeport sent an e-mail to a Freeport School District administrator, she was startled by the response.

Ms. Manko sent an e-mail to district program coordinator Stan Chapp on Feb. 1, requesting materials on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder because her eighth grade son suffers from it. She copied the message to Superintendent Joe Malak and to her husband.

The same day, a message was delivered to her inbox from Mr. Malak.

"Crap like this is always a never ending story. You can never do enough and she will ALWAYS want something else," the message said. Apparently, Mr. Malak thought he was replying to Mr. Chapp.

Ms. Manko was stunned.

She said she didn't know when, "but I've clearly become a difficult parent."

Since her son's diagnosis with ADHD, almost two years ago, Ms. Manko asked that he be placed in a strategic seat in the classroom so that he pays attention, she requested duplicate copies of textbooks and corresponded with teachers regularly. In addition, she asked that teachers have an in-service day to learn about ADHD.

Mr. Malak called Ms. Manko regarding her son after he sent her the message, but did not mention the e-mail, according to her. Mr. Chapp also responded to her e-mail with, "I'll see what I can do."

Ms. Manko decided to approach the Freeport school board Wednesday night where she read the e-mails and a prepared statement to the board and a dozen community members.

School board President Meredith Christy and other members tried to prevent Ms. Manko from speaking, however, board member Richard Ames, a lawyer, said Ms. Manko had a right to share her grievances, she said.

She asked for her child's educational needs to be met and for an apology in writing and in public from the administration.

Mr. Malak was out of the building yesterday and could not be reached for comment.

The materials that Ms. Manko requested in the e-mail arrived at her house Thursday.