|
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 18, 2003
CONTACT: Diane
Gramley 1.814.271.9078 or 1.814.437.5355
Steve Crampton 1.662.680.3886
MILLCREEK SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICY CHANGES UNCONSTITUTIONAL,
PRO-FAMILY GROUP SAYS
(Erie, PA) -- On May 27 the Millcreek School Board voted to
amend their harassment policy to include 'sexual orientation' and
'gender identity.' During
a July 17 public forum attended by over 40 concerned citizens,
Diane Gramley director of the American Family Association of
Pennsylvania, a statewide pro-family group, stated that the policy
changes were unconstitutional. Reading
from a July 16th letter faxed by the American Family Association Center
for Law and Policy (AFACLP) to Dr. Verel Salmon, superintendent of the
Millcreek School District, "After careful review, the
AFACLP has concluded that Millcreek Harassment Regulation suffers serious constitutional defects.
As an initial matter, it should be noted that no federal law or
regulation requires Millcreek to adopt either this
anti-harassment policy or the sexual orientation non-discrimination
policy."
The policy change was brought about through pressure from McDowell High
School's newly formed Gay Straight Alliance.
It was part of the implementation of PFLAG's (Parents, Family,
and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) program "From Our House to the
Schoolhouse." Gramley,
who addressed the Millcreek School Board on May 21, said, "Our
concern has been that the school board did not fully comprehend the
ramifications of this policy change.
To give some students special rights and privileges simply
because of their sexual preferences infringes upon the rights of other
students. We understand
that the pink triangles, which are also a part of this program have been
removed, that's a good first step. We are now asking that the school board reverse their
May 27 decision and not include 'sexual orientation' and 'gender
identity' in their harassment policy."
Presented during the May 27 meeting as reasons for Millcreek Township
School District to change their harassment policy were a letter from the
Philadelphia Office of Civil Rights (OCR) of the U.S. Department of
Education and Presidential Executive Order No. 13160 of June 23, 2000.
However, upon closer examination of these documents, the
following was noted:
o
The letter from the OCR is asking for a "review of
grievance procedures used by many PA school districts to effectively
handle complaints of sex discrimination and harassment under Title
IX."
o
Enclosed with the letter was "a procedure provided by
the Virginia School Boards Association, 'Sexual Harassment/Harassment
Based on Race, National Origin, Disability and Religion.'"
o
Executive Order No. 13160 is a "Statement of policy
on education programs and activities conducted by executive departments
and agencies." Federally conducted education and training programs
and activities are defined as "programs and activities conducted,
operated, or undertaken by an executive department or agency."
"The ball is now 'in the court' of the
Millcreek Township School District.
AFA of Pennsylvania is asking the school board to take immediate
steps to remedy the problem that has been created by the inclusion of
"sexual orientation" and "gender identity in their
harassment policy. For the well-being of all the students in the district, we
ask that this be remedied before the next school year begins,"
stated Gramley.
# # #
Copyright 2002 - 2008 American Family
Association of PA | 
