Debate over EVSC discrimination policy dissolves into shouting match at board meeting
Originally published December 2019
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Monday's school board meeting felt like a war zone as the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. board staff and community members engaged in a series of shouting matches during the nearly two-hour meeting.
Among the meeting's most intense altercations, EVSC Attorney Pat Shoulders and Tri-State Alliance (TSA) President Wally Paynter verbally sparred over issues concerning the school corporation's non-discrimination policy.
TSA is a local group that provides support and advocacy for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth.
TSA members and advocates have long been voicing their concerns with EVSC's current non-discrimination policy at school board meetings during public comment. There is typically little to no response from the board.
Monday, Paynter again addressed the absence of gender identity in the corporation's policy and the lack of support for transgender students and staff during public comment.
After Paynter's three-minute speech, Shoulders strongly contested his statements. He insisted that placing gender identity into the policy wasn't necessary and that the corporation's current non-discrimination guidelines were effective.
"As I look online, the concept of gender can mean sex, but it really has additional connotations," Shoulders said during the meeting. "More rich and metamorphoses, having to do with general behavior, social interactions and, most importantly, one's fundamental sense of self."
The two went back and forth for about 10 minutes.
Once their confrontation came to an end, other TSA members and advocates spoke about their issues with the policy and the district's efforts to provide support for LGBTQ students and professionals.
EVSC's current non-discrimination policy, located on the district's website under bylaws and policies states: "It is the policy of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status, genetic information, national origin, age, limited English proficiency, or disability in its programs or employment policies as required by the Indiana Civil Rights Law."
Paynter has said EVSC's non-discrimination policy has continued to affect transgender students, as it has played a part in separating trans students from their peers.
Paynter and other TSA members declined to speak with the Courier & Press after the meeting.
Here are some additional things you may have missed during Monday's school board meeting.
EVSC Superintendent details potential referendum to increase teacher salaries
Even though he admitted he was battling the flu, EVSC Superintendent David Smith gave two separate presentations to the board and community present as he stood for about an hour.
The second was to address a possible referendum called by board member David Hollingsworth during the Nov. 25 board meeting when he asked the public question be placed on the ballot to increase teachers' salaries.
While fighting the flu, Smith mustered all the energy he could to outline the requirements needed for the approval of an operation referendum — including tax increases.
Hollingsworth responded by emphasizing the importance of the board's involvement in establishing a referendum that could quickly change teachers' circumstances.
"I don't know if everybody's on board, or is as passionate about it as I am," Hollingsworth said. "This is all in the beginning stages."
"It takes a lot of preparation," EVSC School Board Member Ann Ennis said. "When you're asking people for money, it's very different than asking them to elect you to an office. It's different, so we're just talking about it, and we will be taking about it in January."
Hollingsworth said he's uncertain if or when a referendum could form, but he believes local residents will do whatever necessary to make it happen.
"We're not retaining any of our teachers, and we need help," he said. "I think our taxpayers are willing to dig in their pockets and help us out. I really believe it."
Board approves $85,000 grant for homeless youth program
Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. board members rose their hands in approval of an $85,000 grant for the Homeless Children & Youth Program.
EVSC was awarded the grant as part of an agreement between the school corporation and the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE). The grant will be used to distribute funds to the Homeless Children & Youth Program, which will run through Sept. 20, 2022.
One of the grant's requirements is for the EVSC to form an agreement with other county school districts to share the funding. According to board documents, EVSC plans on establishing an agreement with South Gibson and Warrick County School corporations.
The two school districts will receive $5,000 per year for transportation costs, which may be subject to change in the future.
Board agrees to renew transitional program for special education students
Since 2017, the school corporation's special education department, in partnership with the University of Evansville, has provided a transitional program called TRACES.
The program places accepted students between ages 18-22 who qualify for special education services on UE's campus.
TRACES offers these students opportunities to develop the necessary skills to prepare for the transition from school to adulthood — life skills, internships, social recreation and general independence.
The agreement will allow the program to continue.