Submitted by Andrew Bowman
The meeting was dominated almost entirely by two policy topics: how to handle gender nonconformity and a proposed natatorium (an aquatic fitness gymnasium) at Red Land High School. Both topics garnered heated debate, something that the district was prepared for as evidenced by the presence of unarmed security personnel. Of the two, the natatorium was the main focus of the board. Proponents of the facility believe it would provide valuable and potentially life-saving lessons to the students on how to swim, and detractors argue that the facility is too expensive, with one member of the public questioning the fairness of the school district paying for a pool that would be on some basis open to the general public. Ultimately, the board did unanimously pass motion to retain design services for the facility using excess money from a borrowed bond fund. The services should give a better idea of the total logistical costs of the facility as well as the general design of it.
As for the issue of gender non-conforming students, there was much public comment about proposals to limit students to restrooms and sport teams matching their sex assigned at birth. At the meeting, voices opposing these policies outnumbered voices in favor. The board did not discuss this matter, however.
Context
Last year, the school board held a private meeting with the Independence Law Center, a Christian firm based in Harrisburg that specializes in policies such as the ones up for debate. This prompted a large reaction, with those opposed to the involvement of the law firm holding a protest outside the district’s office. Later that year, the conservative board also fired its solicitor, who was considered by some to be not doing enough to help implement these policies.
The board has not proceeded with the Independence Law Center or advanced their policies as of yet, with public pressure likely being a key factor.