AR103(B) - Do you know what this is?
This note is to make you aware of recent activities/actions occurring within our Pine Richland School district.
During the last month’s school board meeting, Monday March 13, there were considerable comments, from the audience speaker podium, about Administrative Regulation AR103(B). This regulation was revised back on July 17, 2017. No changes have occurred since then.
You may not be aware of what this regulation is, so let me explain.
A. Authority
The Board declares it the policy of this district to provide an equal opportunity for all students to achieve their maximum potential through the programs offered in the schools regardless of race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, ancestry, national origin, marital status, pregnancy or handicap/disability. The Board is committed to creating a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students that is free from discrimination.
Sounds pretty fair, right? I think so, but let me go further.
D. Privacy and Confidentiality
All students have a right to privacy and this right includes the right to keep one’s transgender status private at school. Information about a student’s transgender status, legal name, or birth-assigned sex may also constitute confidential protected health information. Disclosing this information to other students, their parents/guardians, or other third parties may violate privacy laws, such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
E. Student Transitions
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Prior to notification of any parent/guardian regarding the transition process, District staff must work closely with the student to assess the degree to which, if any, the parent/guardian will be involved in the process and must consider the health, wellbeing, and safety of the transitioning student.
I’ve attached a link to the PDF below if you are so inclined to read in totality.
According to the school regulation, the district staff becomes the decider, the gate keeper with the student on all gender transitioning thoughts and actions taken. NOT THE PARENTS. Parents are purposely left out of the conversation, decisions and kept in the dark, unless the student wants involvement of the parents. Additionally, there is not stipulation as to the grade or age level where transitioning conversations or actions taken occur. As it reads it can occur at ANY grade level.
So back to the board meeting on March 17 evening. Support to keep the regulation as is with ZERO parents/guardians rights taken into consideration, was on display with very vocal and disrespectful actions during the meeting.
This is only one of the reasons why PR Kids First candidates are running for Pine Richland School Director. Parents/guardians are there to nurture, protect and guide their children until they reach of the age of adulthood. The district staff is there to EDUCATE our children in reading, writing and arithmetic. Period. We parents who believe that parents/guardians should have the right to know about the actions of their children need to have their voices heard.
For Commonsense Leadership and Guardians of Parent Consent of their Children Vote for………..
Mike Wiethorn - District 3
Phil Morrissette - District 3
Leslie Miller - District 2
Document: AR 103(B)
