Safer schools for all learners

School boards must adopt written sexual, religious, racial harassment and violence policies that conform with the Minnesota Human Rights Act.

A bill would expand current law by enumerating specific characteristics of people who could be targets of bullies, including disability, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or associating with others with those characteristics.

Sponsored by Rep. Jim Davnie (DFL-Mpls), HF1198 would add bullying, intimidation and hazing, including their electronic and Internet-based forms, to prohibited actions. It would require teachers to be trained to implement district policies and respond to bullying or harassment, without specifying a particular training.

The K-12 Education Policy and Oversight Committee approved the bill April 2 and sent it to the House floor. Its companion, SF971, sponsored by Sen. D. Scott Dibble (DFL-Mpls) awaits action on the Senate floor.

Advocates of people with disabilities, gay rights and racial minorities expressed support for the bill. However, some parents said specifying sexual orientation or gender identity or expression could ultimately promote beliefs they don’t share.

Perpich Center for Arts Education senior Andy Berlin, who is gay, said that from sixth to eighth grade he was the target of homophobic slurs, physical harassment and intimidation at a former school. He felt “humiliated and depressed,” skipped school often and couldn’t concentrate on his school work. He found few allies among school staff, and eventually transferred to Perpich where his grades improved and he feels respected.

Opponents said the bill represents the agenda of gay rights groups and fear school curricula could supplant parental rights to teach their children about sexuality.

Lesley Chaudry, whose children attend Hale School in Minneapolis, said materials used in a pilot diversity curriculum sponsored by Rainbow Families were “intended to indoctrinate young children to accept homosexual marriage,” which counters her family’s Muslim beliefs. She said her opposition to the curriculum made her the target of harassment when her sidewalk was defaced with graffiti, the school principal publicly chastised her and others called her “gay-basher.”

Rep. Randy Demmer (R-Hayfield) worried that very specific language could be a “trip wire” for school and staff liability.