Parental rights are a no-go – so says the State Board of Education
Today, by a vote of 10-3 the State Board of Education voted against the proposed rule change that would have notified parents about clubs that are forming on school campuses, the purpose and the mission of the clubs, and would give them the right to opt-in or opt-out their child from participating.

The three members of the School Board that voted for the rule change were Chair Wanda Barrs (Congressional District 3), William Bryant (CD-4), and Dean Alford (CD-13).

While I do not have a copy of the second version voted on by the Board, it is my understanding that it involved notification only – removing parental permission from the language. That vote failed by a 7-6 margin. Those voting for the second version of the rule change were Peggy Neilson (CD-2), William Bryant (CD-4), Joy Berry (CD-5), James Bostic (CD-6), Albert Hodge (CD-11) and Carol Williams (CD-12).

It is interesting to note that Chair Wanda Barrs and Member Dean Alford voted against notification only. They are to be commended for standing for a parent’s right to not only be notified, but also to grant permission before their child can become involved in a school club.

While those of us who attended the Board of Education hearings, regarding this rule change, spoke in favor of parental notification and permission for participation in school clubs, those who spoke from the homosexual community tried to turn this into an anti-gay move. That was not the intention of those of us who spoke in favor of the rule change. Our motivation for supporting this rule change was – and continues to be – the right of parent’s to be involved in their minor child’s choices regarding clubs and extra-curricular activities.

It is a sad day when our Board of Education refuses to stand with parents, essentially telling them they do not have a right to all the information necessary to make an informed decision regarding what clubs and activities their child is participating in while at school.

The people who made this decision are not elected and are therefore not accountable to anyone. Perhaps it is time to abolish the State Board of Education and put the control of education, including policy and decision making such as this, back into the hands of the State School Superintendent who is duly elected by the voters.

One less level of bureaucracy would be a good thing.

Thank you for Keeping The Faith.
Sadie Fields