"Kathy Zarling, district administrator of pupil services, said the latest version satisfies state requirements and guidance, including the state administrative code, which establishes procedures on complying with the state statute on harassment (118.13). In addition, an Aug. 13 letter from the state Department of Public Instruction to the district essentially says “the enumeration of protected classes” is required to provide “clear notice” as to who the state statute on harassment applies (118.13). "
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THIS IS A CROCK.
Wisconsin State Statute 118.13 is a pupil discrimination law. This law pertains only to school admission, and the nondiscrimination of these protected classes thereof. By bringing “sexual orientation” into the protected class of persons, we open the door wide to leaving others out. What about short people, pregnant, tattooed, pierced, tall, thin or fat people? One would wonder if, perhaps, they should also be mentioned as a protected class, as well. As you can see, setting apart children into protected classes is inappropriate and further causes division between students.
This harassment policy states that if student speech is "creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive learning environment", then the interpretation of harassment is left wide open to the person being harassed. With such a vague policy as this, all school children become threatened with disciplinary action and are prohibited from speaking freely, lest they risk "offending" another. Can you see how intimidating this could be in the classroom? With such a subjective policy based on individual interpretation, how will students know where the line is drawn and whether they have crossed it. What are the consequences they will have to succumb to?
From my vantage point as a mother/grandmother/taxpayer/citizen, it is unthinkable to place a behavioral choice into a protective class and afford special rights over the rest of the student body. At issue is an overreaching interpretation by our district of Wisconsin State Administrative Code PI-9.
I also believe the proposed West Bend policy, goes way beyond the statutory requirements and creates a policy controlling student behavior. It makes the public school administration the “thought police,” and shuts down the students’ rights to free speech, violating the First Amendment.
Protection from harassment should be for ALL people, not just certain defined classes. This is an unnecessary area to expand on and providing preferential treatment goes beyond the limits of what the law requires.
PLAN TO ATTEND, BE A VOICE
REQUEST THE SCHOOL BOARD TO VOTE "NO" ON THIS POLICY
THIS CONSERVATIVE COMMUNITY WISHES TO MAINTAIN ITS VALUES AND MORALS FOR OUR DISTRICT CHILDREN
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at Green Tree Elementary School.
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