It followed a rally outside of School System headquarters before the meeting.
Frederick, Md (KM) The Frederick County Board of Education heard a lot of testimony on Policy 443 on Wednesday night.
Adopted in 2017, the policy gives students the right to express and discuss their gender identity, including those who are transgender and gender non-conforming. It also grants them the right to be addressed by their preferred pronouns, and have access to facilities which conform to their gender identities, including restrooms, locker rooms or changing facilities. They can also participate in sports and physical education classes in a manner consistent with their gender identity.
An opponent of this policy, Heather Fletcher, spoke to the School Board on Wednesday. She criticized the Board for adopting this policy. “They’ve thrown caution to the wind and common sense in the name of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, and refused to listen to doctors and parents who say ‘first, do no harm,'” she said.
Shelley Alloi wanted to make changes to the policy. “We had this whole discussion in the public arena about sex, sexuality. Where is math and science and reading and just loving kids,” she asked. “Instead, what we’re doing is indoctrinating them with ideas.”
Speaking in a similar vein was John Dellebelli, a local accountant and financial planner. “:Wouldn’t you think that academic enhancement should be the only priority for the FCPS? Doesn’t this Board have a real obligation to take concrete and active steps to fix our educational shortcomings? Instead, we’re spending time on Policy 443,” he said.
But there were a few citizens who spoke in favor of Policy 443.. One was Heatherly Hodges, the President of the Washington Area Secular Humanists. “My perspective on humanity is strongly influenced by science. That is why I support Frederick County School Policy 443 which is rooted in current medical and mental health science on gender affirming care,” she said.
Also testifying in support was Angie Vigliotti. “Education should meet children where they are, recognizing their individuality whether they are LGBT-Plus, of different racial backgrounds, religious or neural diverse,” she said.
Prior to the meeting, opponents of Policy 443 held a rally outside of School System headquarters on East Street.
By Kevin McManus