Teacher’s suspension stands
My Fox Detroit reports a Michigan school district won’t reverse a teacher’s one-day unpaid suspension for kicking a boy out of class because the student said he didn’t “accept gays. ”
Howell schools superintendent Ronald Wilson said in a release Nov. 17 that Jay McDowell violated the student’s right to free speech on Oct. 20.
Wilson said the high-school teacher also “violated board policy” in dismissing the student “who disagreed with him.”
The district is 45 miles northwest of Detroit.
McDowell said he was explaining the difference between the Confederate flag and gay-pride symbol the rainbow flag when the student made his statement.
McDowell has filed a complaint against the district.
El Paso bans DP benefits
The Houston Chronicle reports the El Paso City Council has let stand a voter-approved ban on health-insurance benefits for domestic partners of city workers.
The city council Nov. 16 declined to reject the measure, approved Nov. 2, that will end such benefits for 19 gay and unmarried partners of city employees.
City Attorney Charlie McNabb had said the approved ordinance is so broad that about 200 people, including some city retirees, also will lose medical coverage as of Jan. 1.
But the council voted 4-3 not to introduce an ordinance that would have retained the benefits.
Group wants to expand school violence policy
Minnesota’s KARE 11 News reports the Minnesota School Board Association wants school districts to expand their anti-harassment and violence policies.
Specifically, the policy should include LGBT students. Most Minnesota school districts’ policies only protect against harassment based on race, religion or sex.
The association’s update would prohibit any form of harassment or violence “on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, familial status, and status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation or disability.”
The association also wants school officials to intervene when they see bullying.
The recommendation will likely be controversial when 335 member districts decide whether to act on it.
— Larry Nichols