Ferndale School Board to Vote on LGBTQ-Supportive Resolutions

Ferndale School Board to Vote on LGBTQ-Supportive Resolutions
(Ferndale Public Schools, April 17, 2016)
Ferndale, MI – On Monday, April 18th, 2016, the Ferndale Schools Board of Education will vote on two resolutions in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) rights.  The first resolution will be in support of the State of Michigan Board of Education’s Statement and Guidance on Safe and Supportive Learning Environments for LGBTQ Students.
In a letter to the State Board of Education, State Superintendent Brian Whiston said “As articulated in the “Top 10 in 10 Years” strategic goals, the State Board of Education (SBE) and the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) are committed to reducing the impact of high-risk factors and providing equitable resources and access to quality educational opportunities to meet the needs of all students. The SBE recognizes the need for all students to have a safe and supportive school environment to progress academically and developmentally, and believes school administrators, teachers, staff, families, and students all play an important role in creating and sustaining that environment. To that end, students should be treated equally, fairly, and be protected from discrimination based on their real or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.”
The Ferndale Schools Board of Education will also vote on a second resolution that would ban the use of district funds to travel to the states of North Carolina and Mississippi due to their recent passage of discriminatory laws against the LGBTQ community.
Ferndale Schools Board of Education President Jennifer LaTosch said, “The Board of Education of Ferndale Public Schools fully supports the State Board of Education and the proposed Guidelines designed to protect the safety and well-being of Michigan LGBTQ students. Our own Strategic Plan is grounded in the values of trust, respect and inclusion which have guided us in working with and in support of our LGBTQ students and community members. The proposed state guidelines, likewise, provide a framework and guidance to all Michigan districts in creating and maintaining a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment for all students. This is a vital step in protecting the physical and emotional safety of our LGBTQ students.  We do not tolerate these discriminatory laws enacted by the states of North Carolina or Mississippi, nor will we support an organization or entity that seeks to bring harm to the transgender community. These Resolutions will reaffirm our commitment to support LGBTQ youth, our pledge to speak out against discrimination in all forms, and our appeal to Michigan legislators to disavow similar measures that attempt to harm and marginalize the LGBTQ community.”
The School Board Meeting takes place on Monday, April 18 at 7 p.m. in the Main Conference Room at Ferndale High School, 881 Pinecrest.  Learn more about Ferndale Schools at http://www.ferndaleschools.org.  Learn more about the proposed guidelines at https://oaklandcounty115.com/2016/04/07/public-comment-period-ends-may-11-for-state-dept-of-ed-lgbtq-policy/.
The City of Royal Oak has also introduced a ban against city employees from traveling to North Carolina at the City’s expense.  Read more about that at https://oaklandcounty115.com/2016/04/12/royal-oak-bans-travel-to-nc-in-wake-ofanti-lgbt-legislation/.

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