SCHOOL BOARDS HAVE POWER TO BOLSTER PARENTAL RIGHTS

School Boards have the right to create policy that will either protect the rights of parents or take them away.  School Boards dictate if school districts will follow the recommendations of Oregon Department of Education or deny them. 

Do not let the school board tell you they do not have that power. They are elected to represent the parents, community members, and the tax payers. Hold them accountable. 

The Newberg School District mission statement includes “In partnership with parents and our community” however, there are concerning practices taking place at the high school and it is possible the other schools in the district have followed suit. To understand the background, history must be explained. 

On January 3rd, 2023, a staff training took place that included the below slide:

In response to the staff training that states “shall not disclose… including the student’s parents or guardians…,” the superintendent sent out the email pictured.  

The Superintendent was clear by saying, “Rest assured, the district recognizes that parents/guardians are in charge of their child(ren)’s health and well being. We strive to honor the relationship you have with them. There is no district policy that states we are to withhold information pertaining to your child for any reason (unless parental notification would put the student in danger.”

The superintendent may not be aware of the decisions taking place at the high school regarding parental notification. Earlier in the year, in the first trimester, a teacher gave a handout to students that was not expected to be taken to their parents. The sheet asked the students for their pronouns. The questions that followed were: May I use your preferred pronouns in front of class, in front of teachers, when calling home? The paper is shown below. 

I can see if the district and the parents have discussed the preferred pronouns with the student and they came up with a plan together on how the student will be referred, but I cannot understand how anyone in the district can make that decision without the parent / guardian of the student. 

How difficult do you think it would be for a child to carry on two different identities? One identity at home and an entirely different identity condoned, aided and abetted by district staff using social transitioning within the school environment? 

I find this type of question and answer an immediate breach of trust that the district is allowing to be placed between parents and students. I think the district needs to affirm the rights that parents have, and should maintain, over their children without the interference of staff or teachers that have no place making parental decisions on behalf of the student/parent. The district should be making attempts to strengthen the relationship between families and the district, not weaken them.

In my opinion, if there is a child that needs information withheld from a parent due to safety concerns, then there should be a DHS case opened on the family and the issue taken care of in a safe manner. If the child simply is embarrassed or would be uncomfortable in conversation with the parents, that is not elevated to the level of a safety issue. It would appear to be a communication issue. The district should be looking for solutions on how to initiate a conversation with the family instead of fostering a relationship based on lies and deception.

During a meeting with the high school principal on an unrelated matter, this subject was raised during the discussion. The principal was concerned with bringing issues like this to the school board and speaking about the staff. A public comment was made earlier that month about the pronoun sheet given by the teacher above. It was noted and expressed during public comment that the teacher has done a good job instructing the students on the subject matter of the class. Concerns outlined to the school board are in direct correlation with policies and procedures within Newberg School District. 

The public comment was not made to humiliate the staff. It was reiterated that this issue with keeping information from parents and guardians is a policy issue and the policies revolving around parental rights must change. To do that, we must show the board this is actually happening in reality.  Unfortunately for some teachers, that means exposing them doing things like this. The principal expressed that she understood it was about the policy. 

I then sent a follow up to our conversation via email to gain clarity around the situation. It was confirmed that staff could ask students which pronouns to use when calling home. 

The Principal did say “…the information from ODE isn't a directive but recommendations to school districts.” See the email thread in the below picture.

  Again, based on the Jan 2023 email from Dr. Stephen Phillips, it is unclear if the superintendent is aware of the staff following ODE recommendations listed in the document “Supporting Gender Expansive Students (SGES)” or if he is being left out of this decision. 

SGES says to follow the “Student Support and Safety Plan Template” if needed for safety. If this template needs to be implemented, then one would think the student should immediately be referred to DHS for fear of safety in the home.
 

Another document in SGES, “Affirming Gender, Names, and Pronouns in Student Information Systems” on para.1, pg. 2, states, “Districts and schools must prioritize student safety. Districts and schools should inform students that updating their student record may allow their parent or caregiver to view their asserted name if a parent or caregiver makes a FERPA request, or if the central SIS links to other local systems that parents or caregivers have access to (e.g., gradebooks, directories, online schooling platforms, school email, etc.). If the student does not want specific individuals to have access to this information, the school should discuss alternative individualized name and pronoun supports with the student in lieu of records changes.”
 

These documents recommended by ODE appear to be designed to fracture family and place staff and teachers in a higher decision-making position within the student’s life. The information laid out here is not about denying a student’s choice in how they prefer to live, but about including the parents and guardians in those choices so the relationship can be strengthened, not weakened. A student experiencing gender dysphoria needs a vast support system. Why do the ODE documents focus on cutting the parents out of the equation? 

The current parental rights policy (KAB) is vague and weak. It opens the district to more liability.

The KAB policy states:

 The Board recognizes the importance of promoting parental input in decision making related to their student’s health and general well-being; in determining district and student needs for educational services; and in program development and district operations.   

Should parents be in allowance of staff and teachers socially transitioning children with no parental knowledge or input? 

When will the district board consider revising this policy to ensure parents are being respected? The Board is expected to speak on parental rights at the April 9th board meeting as listed on their agenda. The meeting is set to begin after an executive session that starts at 5PM. Zoom link HERE.

Consider sending an email to publiccomment@newberg.k12.or.us to be read for public comment, which must be turned in by 4pm on Monday April 8th, 2024 or attend the meeting and give public testimony on your thoughts about parents rights. Do you think the school district staff should follow ODE recommendations and be allowed to keep secrets from parents and guardians? 

https://www.oregon.gov/ode/students-and-family/equity/LGBTQ2SIAStudentEducation/Pages/LGBTQ2SIA--Student-Success-Plan.aspx