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Long Discussion of Gender Identity in School Continues at HASD

The Hollidaysburg Area School District Board of Directors encountered a combined attendance of nearly 600 people and 6 hours of discussion over two meetings regarding gender identity and preferred pronouns in the current school policy.

Spark of the issue

This discussion was sparked by a recent situation at Hollidaysburg Junior High School. A book titled “Gender Queer” was seen on seventh grade English teacher Nicole Stouffer’s desk. Stouffer was also seen reading the book in school on occasion.

The book is a memoir written by Maia Kobabe. Kobabe writes about the experience of coming to identify as non-binary. The novel has several pages of sexually explicit illustrations, which have caused upheaval in schools and libraries nationwide. The graphic photos traveled rapidly through Facebook and other social media, leading parents by hundreds to the meeting with many calling the book “pornography,” “disgusting” and “perverted.”

Hollidaysburg School District Superintendent Dr. Robert Gildea stated that the book had never been shown or read to students in the classroom. The novel is not in the Hollidaysburg School District library nor in any course curriculum. Gildea said Stouffer was told to remove the book immediately from her classroom and not bring it back into the building.

One parent who was extremely upset that her son had been exposed to the graphic novel contacted Gildea, but was not satisfied with his response. The Pennsylvania State Police were contacted and launched an investigation.

After talking with police, Gildea said no further action would be taken. Gildea also spoke with Sgt. Richard Oldham,of the Hollidaysburg Police Department, who stated no further action would be taken given the information they currently had.

Some parents came forward to demand that the district fire Stouffer for the “damage” she had inflicted on “vulnerable” seventh graders. According to parents, Stouffer has displayed a rainbow flag since the beginning of the year as a symbol of inclusion for all students including those in the LGBTQ community, letting all students know they are welcome.

Parents also asked to see the resignation of Superintendent Gildea for letting a teacher cross too many boundaries with students.

Board President Nicole Hartman would not discuss any disciplinary actions against Stouffer by advice of the solicitor, as it is illegal to do so. Hartman had posted on Facebook that “some romance novels are spicier than the novel ‘Gender Queer.’” This sparked a call for Hartman to resign from the school board.

Boardmember Carmen Bilek and several other board members drafted amendments dealing with the Code 824 of the district policy manual governing adult/student boundaries; outlining teacher/student relationships; and determining what is and is not acceptable in terms of religious, political, and sexual topics. The additions to Code 824 would keep teachers from displaying materials of a religious, sexual or political nature in their classrooms. They also cannot bring up any conversations with students on gender identity or orientation or what pronouns they want to use.

The president of the Hollidaysburg Area Education Association Mike Rawlins said the code as it is worded would open the district to potential lawsuits in the future. He does not want to see the door opened to potential lawsuits or legal battles that would drain more funds from education in an already struggling financial district.

Continued at next meeting

The Wednesday, Nov. 16, committee of the whole/voting meeting brought forth a large number of speakers expressing divergent viewpoints.

Student Madeline Shanafelt, a senior at Hollidaysburg, spoke of the vagueness of the school board policy, saying, “The Pride Flag is a sign of inclusion. Code 824 would be a disservice to every student in the school.”

Another senior, Mason Kelly, said he could finally step out as proud gay senior thanks to teachers, family and friends that made him feel confident in himself. The LGBTQ community can now come out with the truth without being afraid.

Christa Murphy, mother of two Hollidaysburg students, objected to amendments to Code 824, saying, “The Pride Flag says Hollidaysburg School District is welcoming to all students. Teachers should not be forced to remove gay pride flags.”

George Foster said he had worked for 20 years in protecting children from child abuse in the Catholic Church and stated “child sexual predators want children to have access to books like ‘Gender Queer.’ There is no excuse for ‘Gender Queer’ to enter the classroom. This material is a handgun to students.”

Richard Latker of the Hollidaysburg Watchdog said there were graphic illustrations of sexual acts between minors and adults in “Gender Queer.” He urged the board to pass the amendment to Code 824.

Diane Krueger stated, “Some teachers use their power to indoctrinate students to their way of thinking. Pride flags lead to discussions of sex and sexual identity with students.”

Carrie Fry, an educator and parent of a junior high school student, said, “Lies spread through social media. Students will have the belief that they can harass and have their teachers fired.”

Lena Meadows a junior at Hollidaysburg said, “Sexual identity is seldom discussed. School is a place where students become sexually and emotionally aware.”

Vote on Code 824

When it came to the vote on first reading of the proposed amendments to the Code 824 maintaining professional and student boundaries, it failed as it was voted down by a 5-4 margin. Board members Nichole Hartman, Scott Brenneman, Lonna Frye, Ronald Sommer, and Doug Stephens opposed the amendment while members Emanuel Nichols, Carmen Bilek, Jennifer Costanza, and Ken Snyder voted in favor of the proposed amendments.

The next reorganization and committee of the whole/voting meeting will be held Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. at the senior high school library.

 

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