http://www.twincities.com/ci_19707112
Anoka-Hennepin teachers want to get rid of the district’s controversial policy governing classroom discussions about sexual orientation – and they don’t want a proposed new one to replace it.
Union representatives of the 2,800-member teaching staff voted Monday against having any policy that would place dictates on classroom conversations about sexual orientation or any other topic deemed controversial, according to Julie Blaha, president of Anoka-Hennepin Education Minnesota.
Those results were presented to the Anoka-Hennepin school board Monday night.
“Despite the good intentions of it, it turned out to be more confusing and limiting than helpful,” Blaha told board members, referring to the district’s current sexual orientation curriculum policy.
Teachers believe that the new, broader policy being considered to replace it isn’t necessary either, she added.
The vote was the first official stance taken by teachers on the sexual orientation curriculum policy. The guidelines have divided Minnesota’s largest school district, landing it in the middle of a national debate about anti-gay bullying and prompting two lawsuits.