School-bully bill is a no-go

By Mike Soraghan, Denver Post Capitol Bureau

The same panel that wants to put religion back in schools wants to keep political correctness out.

The Senate Education Committee on Wednesday defeated, on a 3-3 tie, a "safe schools" proposal that would have required schools to take steps against bullying and to foster respect regardless of differences such as race, color, creed, sexual orientation, physical appearance or need for special services.

"What this bill winds up doing is providing a back door to expand laws on protected classes," Sen. Ron Teck, R-Grand Junction said of Senate Bill 105.

But others said bullying and bigotry in schools are problems that need to be addressed. One parent recalled the bullying that may have played a role in the Columbine High School massacre.

Patricia Romero told the committee her straight daughter suffered "gay-bashing" in school after classmates found out she had a gay brother. Romero said her daughter attended Columbine High School and knew Columbine gunman Eric Harris.

"He and other children were called "fags,' " Romero said.

Jim Babb of Denver said he dropped out of school because of taunting about his homosexuality.

"I was attacked, harassed and called names, all because I came out as a gay male," he told the committee.

A teacher and a school counselor both testified that harassment and bullying can impair learning.

The Republicans on the committee - Teck, Sen. John Andrews of Englewood and Sen. Ken Arnold of Westminster - said they would support a resolution against bullying but weren't willing to put it into law.

Shortly before the bill died, the committee endorsed a measure requiring that the Ten Commandments be posted in classrooms. Voting for the amendment were Sens. Stan Matsunaka, R-Loveland; Pat Pascoe, D-Denver; and Bill Thiebaut, D-Pueblo.

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