HASD ponders classroom policy rules

After ‘Gender Queer’ controversy, district defining what may be discussed in classes

After weeks of debate and heated public comment, the Hollidaysburg Area School Board approved the first readings of a pair of proposed policies Wednesday, prompting a round of applause from several in attendance.

An amendment to policy 824 deals with maintaining professional adult/student boundaries, while new policy 321 defines what is and isn't allowed in district classrooms concerning political activity.

Debate over board action heated up last month when rumors circulated on Facebook that a junior high teacher had been spotted with the controversial "Gender Queer" graphic novel memoir on her classroom desk.

The same teacher had allegedly asked students at the beginning of the school year for their preferred pronouns and had a LGBTQ+ pride flag displayed in the classroom.

Board member Carmen Bilek led the charge to draft the revisions to policy 824 after some parents raised their concerns in September about the preferred pronouns discussion.

The "Gender Queer" controversy thrust the district back in the spotlight, and policy revisions were proposed almost immediately afterward.

Originally, an amendment to code 824 contained language that prohibited conversations pertaining to religion, politics or sexual topics, but after that version was defeated in the Nov. 16 meeting, the new revisions just prohibit "initiating conversations with students, whether in public or private, on gender identity, asking students for their preferred pronoun usage or sexual orientation." The clause then says students who bring up such topics of their own accord will be referred to guidance for followup conversations.

Policy 321 is new and aims to define the types of curriculum, displays and conversations concerning politics and political topics that are not allowed in the classroom. Teachers would not be allowed to discuss their own political views or display "prominent" items in their classroom that could be defined as promoting a political viewpoint.

The first reading of policy 824 passed unanimously, while 321 passed by a 7-2 margin, with Nicole Hartman and Doug Stephens dissenting.

Hartman and Stephens voiced concerns that the language in code 321 was too "vague," and they asked who would define some of the terminology -- such as "prominent," "inconspicuous" or "small" -- and apply it in a particular situation.

"I'm just concerned about enforcement," Stephens said. "I think it's still vague in nature."

Upon the passing of 321, several people in the audience clapped in support of the decision. The show of support was one of the few audible expressions -- either positive or negative -- from the crowd on a night that was tame in contrast to previous meetings concerning the "Gender Queer" controversy.

Hollidaysburg senior Madeline Shanafelt had been heckled by audience members during her public comments in opposition to the revisions to code 824 in the previous meeting, and district Superintendent Robert Gildea was pleased to have no repeat of that situation this week. Shanafelt didn't address the board Wednesday.

"I was happy to see that people handled themselves with more decorum than in the past," Gildea said after the meeting. "They're pretty contentious topics, and it's understandable that people have passion one way or the other. Tonight was a positive sign that these issues can be discussed in a reasonable manner."

Community members and parents again shared comments both in favor and in opposition of the proposals.

Hollidaysburg resident and parent Olivia Grugan said she and her husband were not concerned about or threatened by the prospect of a teacher asking their child for their preferred pronouns.

"I would be grateful, knowing that we have teachers in our community who are taking extra steps to respect all children in their care," Grugan said.

Grugan said that students feeling like they belong is a big factor in academic achievement and overall demeanor. Asking a student for their nickname or preferred pronouns is a powerful way to foster that welcoming environment, she said.

"If asking and respecting students' pronouns is so clearly linked to health and well-being, teachers should at least have the freedom," Grugan said.

Carrie Frye of Duncansville asked the board if another policy regulating teachers was really the best idea, considering that sharing political opinions with students was already prohibited.

"I object to the atmosphere that some members of the board have created by pushing to promote big brother-style policies, written to control teachers as if they are our enemies," Frye said. "This approach will ultimately make the Hollidaysburg Area School District a worse place to be."

Frye said the teachers make the district great, going out of their way to help students and encourage them outside of the classroom.

"Despite what we may have seen or heard at the last few board meetings, most parents believe in their teachers," Frye said. "I don't believe a lot of the voices here are the majority."

On the other hand, veteran and Hollidaysburg resident David Wolesongle said that in the military, there is no straying from the target subject matter for a class or discussion. He said the parents should be the only ones discussing topics on sexual orientation and gender identity, not teachers.

"We cannot have anything other than neutrality in a school," Wolesongle said. "People have to be taught respect for each other on both sides of the spectrum."

Wolesongle said students will go on to learn about these types of topics as they go through life.

"People will be who they want to be, no matter what you decide on this subject," Wolesongle said. "There is no place for this in the public education system."

Duncansville resident and district parent Missy Sullivan echoed Wolesongle's comments, saying discussions of a political or sexual nature are not appropriate between minors and teachers.

"Quite frankly, I'm bewildered with anyone on this board who feels personal, sexual discussion should be part of any classroom with minors," Sullivan said.

Sullivan said the pride flag is not an inclusive symbol.

"The rainbow flag is not inclusive. It only represents some. The only flag that represents this country as a whole is the American flag," she said.

Hollidaysburg resident Leah Deskevich has a son who will be entering kindergarten next school year, and she said she had a lot of questions about what she should expect her son to learn or be exposed to in that classroom.

"Is it OK to send him to public school next year?," Deskevich said. "I went to public school; I taught at public school; I love public school. But I'm now asking questions about public school. And that makes me sad."

Gildea said now that the board approved both first readings, the board will make small revisions to language and grammar that were addressed and bring the policies up for a second reading at the next meeting in January. If the board approves those second readings, policy 824 will be amended and policy 321 will be officially adopted into school code.

Mirror Staff Writer Nate Powles is at 814-946-7466.