Tammi Flemming's letter titled “News story was lacking,” omits students from DCSD's Parent and Family Engagement policy (KBB).

Flemming mentioned “the rights of parents” but what about the rights of students?

In June, the District Accountability Committee (DAC) wrote a resolution where they requested, “DAC would like to thoroughly stakehold KBB with SACS and other parent organizations.”

However, the board did not allow time for the DAC to contact School Accountability Committees (SACS) like the Student Advisory Group (SAG) for feedback on President Mike Peterson's policy revisions to KBB. Board Secretary Becky Myers wrote in an email to Chester Shaw — chair of the District Accountability Committee, “Also share with DAC that I personally want SAG input off the table.”

Revisions to the Parent and Family Engagement policy, specifically language around the words “compelled” and “identity,” can directly impact students in the LGBTQ community and the board president scheduled a vote on these during summer break. SAG students have previously made public comments about recent changes to the Educational Equity policy, concerned with how policy revisions could impact this community.

This board majority recently faced litigation following a discrimination complaint from former superintendent Corey Wise, which they settled for $832,733.61. His employment was terminated after advocating that the Board not discriminate against LGBTQ students.

Following the DAC's request on a Thursday, President Peterson revised his revisions before Tuesday's meeting, which none of the committees had the opportunity to review before the Board's (4-2) vote. This went against a statute that states: The Board shall work with the parent members of the DAC (District Accountability Committee) in creating, adopting, reviewing and implementing this policy.

This spring, director Susan Meek entered a formal complaint titled “Suspected violations of Board policies,” in which she included, “President Peterson is developing changes outside of the public eye and using his authority to set board agendas to put forward a policy for first reading for policy adoption before the entire board has had an opportunity to discuss it publicly. Again, this exceeds his authority.”

Policy GP 1.3.1 Board President Responsibilities reads, “To lead the Board so that the Board's performance is consistent with its own rules and policies and those legitimately imposed on it from outside the organization.”

Not following statute could lead to further costly litigation, which is an egregious disservice to all stakeholder groups. This could be avoided if the board followed its own policies.

Tiffany Baker

Highlands Ranch