The School District of Palm Beach County, Florida A Top High-Performing A-Rated School District
An Equal Opportunity Education Provider and Employer
February 23, 2022 Dear Florida Legislators: The School District of Palm Beach County takes great pride in holding true to our mission of educating, affirming, and inspiring each student in an equity-embedded school system in which both students and staff are unimpeded by bias or discrimination. It is that firm and unwavering conviction to universal inclusion and equity that necessitates this important letter in which we express our displeasure, and stand firmly against any legislation that would compromise acceptance and respect for our students based on race, religion, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other demographic targeted for discriminatory exclusion. During this Legislative Session, proposals regarding LGBTQ students are particularly worrisome and threaten the ideals of inclusion. Specifically, we are concerned that HB 1557/SB1834 would undermine existing protections for LGBTQ students by standing as a barrier to teachers who are currently providing a safe, inclusive classroom. We also take issue with HB
7/SB 148, which represents censorship and would compromise an educator’s ability
to teach honest LGBTQ history, Black history, and the historic reasons behind gender and race discrimination. Together, these measures compromise the ability for a student to receive a comprehensive education. As educators we must stand up against hate in every form and fashion and be intentional and proactive about creating a safe learning environment. As a District committed to creating inclusive classroom communities that promote social justice, we understand the importance of age-appropriate conversations that will empower our students to develop a tolerance, respect, and acceptance for those who are different than themselves. It should be noted that we recognize that information regarding LGBTQ matters are conversations for older students and are not discussed in our primary grades.
THE
SCHOOL
DISTRICT
OF MICHAEL
J.
BURKE FRANK
A.
BARBIERI,
JR.,
ESQ. PALM
BEACH
COUNTY,
FL
SUPERINTENDENT
B
OARD
C
HAIRMAN
OFFICE
OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT KAREN
M.
BRILL
3300
F
OREST
H
ILL
B
OULEVARD
,
C-316
B
OARD
V
ICE
C
HAIR
W
EST
P
ALM
B
EACH
,
FL
33406-5869 MARCIA
ANDREWS P
HONE
:
561-649-6833
/
F
AX
:
561-649-6837 ALEXANDRIA
AYALA
BARBARA
MCQUINN DEBRA
L.
ROBINSON,
M.D. ERICA
WHITFIELD
Page 2 of 2 February 23, 2022 Florida Legislators
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LGBTQ Support Letter
The School District of Palm Beach County A Top High-Performing A-Rated School District
An Equal Opportunity Education Provider and Employer
Legislators, as we work together toward the common goal of empowering all students, we request that you stand united with us in ensuring that children are informed, thereby making them poised to thrive and succeed and that diversity is celebrated and nurtured, not silenced or censored. Respectfully, Michael J. Burke Frank A. Barbieri, Jr., Esq. Superintendent Board Chairman on behalf of the School Board C: Karen Brill, Vice Chair Debra L. Robinson, M.D., Board Member Marcia Andrews, Board Member Erica Whitfield, Board Member Barbara McQuinn, Board Member Alexandria Ayala, Board Member