Submitted by Throwaway103122CT t3_yibnhc in Connecticut
Posting this from a throwaway due to bad mobbing experiences in the past!
I started watching our local Board of Ed meetings on Zoom during the pandemic to find out what was happening with school openings, masks, etc. It's mostly boring reports, budgets, occasional posturing from wannabe politicians, and a few dweebs fighting over Roberts' Rules of Order. There is one hardcore ideologue on there who proposed that the Board should have to approve any "sensitive" teaching materials, which basically meant anything about race or gender (which they admitted only when pushed repeatedly). It was quickly shot down.
The Board is 6 Democrats and 3 Republicans. The latter never win but they get seated due to a minority representation rule in CT. I had no idea about this until it was explained to me recently! This year the Republicans are running three candidates that they are advertising as nice parents. They don't put "Republican" on any of their materials, don't use red color themes, American flags, etc. I thought this might be better than the hardcore ideologues you hear about in other towns.
BUT, when asked about their top priorities, one of these Republicans named Diane Melchionne stated IN THE LOCAL PAPER that her priority is requiring teachers to out LGBTQ students to their parents! https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Stamford-race-Board-Education-schools-17536539.php
"Fostering a collaborative environment for Parents & Teachers: Today, there are policies on the books that instruct teachers to withhold certain information from parents, such as a student’s gender identity. It makes parents distrustful of the entire system and puts teachers in between parents and their children. It also implies to students that it’s OK to keep some things from their parents. I would amend these policies and ensure parents and teachers are working collaboratively for the best interests of students."
I have no idea what policy she is referring to, and highly doubt it exists (or is being grossly misrepresented). If a student is not out to their parents, it may be they simply aren't ready, fear a negative reaction, or in the worst cases may even be abused or kicked out of their home. Students should have adults in their life they feel safe talking to. What a disaster!
Are you seeing this kind of thing in your town? How could outing students be a priority for the school system!?
mkt853 t1_iuj9bxu wrote
Republicans believe kids are p!ssing in litter boxes and dancing on stripper poles while wanting books banned. 0.0% chance I'm voting for Republicans.