Message from:
The Coalition for Safer Schools of NYS, PO Box 2345, Malta, NY 12020
Email to: saratogany@aol.com
The Real or Perceived Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Student Protection Project

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Anchorage Daily News, June 12, 2001
P. O. Box 149001, Anchorage, AK, 99514-9001
(Fax: 907-258-2157 ) (E-Mail: letters@pop.adn.com )
( http://www.adn.com/ )

School Board adds to policy on harassment
SEXUAL ORIENTATION: Change requires 2nd vote.

By Rosemary Shinohara, Anchorage Daily News

After hearing about 20 speakers voice overwhelming support, the Anchorage School Board on Monday unanimously approved a new policy that bans harassment of students and employees over their sexual orientation.

Two Bartlett High seniors told the board that angry fellow students have yelled names at them while school staffers stood by and did nothing.

"Every day was horrible," said Aaron Daugherty, 17, who said he is gay. "One of the most difficult things I experienced was to be within earshot of adults and watch their failure to act," said Timothy Aguilar, who said he is bisexual.

Dimond High teacher Susan Derrera said a brief walk down a school hallway will show that students calling others names like "homo" and "fag" is common.

No one spoke against making the change Monday night.

The School Board votes on policy changes twice. Monday's was the first reading, and the issue is expected to be up for a vote again June 25.

An existing district policy prohibits harassment overall and lists some specific grounds, such as race, age and national origin.

But the list does not include sexual orientation.

The board decided to add sexual orientation after the district's Student Advisory Board, made up of students from around Anchorage, recommended it this spring. The policy change will make schools safer, said Hans Bernard, a student board member and recent Chugiak High graduate.

Superintendent Carol Comeau she didn't see the need for specific language until January, when two young men told her about being harassed and not getting support from school staffers. She has since talked with many other students and staffers about harassment, she said.

"By being silent, there is a silent message of avoidance rather than dealing with these issues," Comeau said. "This additional language is critically needed."

Students or staff members who violate the policy would be subject to discipline.

Comeau met with eight ministers earlier Monday and said they all agreed that the district should take action to eliminate harassment. But the Rev. Jerry Prevo, pastor of the Anchorage Baptist Temple, suggested in a letter that the board "leave out the controversial term 'sexual orientation.' "

Prevo said more specific descriptions of the kinds of harassment that would not be allowed should do the job.

District employee contracts and the Alaska teachers code of conduct contain language prohibiting harassment over sexual orientation.

· Reporter Rosemary Shinohara can be reached at rshinohara@adn.com and 907-257-4340.

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"The Real or Perceived Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgendered Student Protection Project"
("Being safe at school should not be a radical concept".. Jamie Nabozny)

A project of:
Coalition for Safer Schools of New York State

John Myers
Director of Operations and Programs
PO Box 2345
Malta, NY 12020
(518) 587-0176
Email: saratogany@aol.com

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