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Oklahoma City Public Schools

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ACLU: American Civil Liberties Union

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The following is an email from Joe Quigley. It has been edited for clarity.
(Posted 7-7-03)

(7-7-03)

If student welfare was not at stake and if the matter were not serious this would be laughable. The district refuses to do the right thing and goes to any lengths to avoid it.
Here is the legal departments reply and my reply to it.
PFLAG may want to contact the new guy, get the Super in Norman and the Safe Schools people to meet with him and spell out reality. Gawd knows the locals ("locals" meaning the local administrators of OKCPS) are a little weak in this. As to the PROPER TIME when has this district done anything in the proper time? Is that code for injury, suicide or assault?
Joe

In a message dated 07/07/2003 12:30:54 PM Pacific Daylight Time, ttcarter@okcps.k12.ok.us writes:

Joe-
 
   I think I have already told you that my concern has to do with adding another layer of liability to the already increasing legal liability that school districts face.
 
     Since there has been a change in leadership, I am going to have to address your concerns with the new superintendent, AT THE PROPER TIME.  Once I have done that, I will get back to you.

"I think I have already told you that my concern has to do with adding another layer of liability to the already increasing legal liability that school districts face."
But, would NOT making it clear that these students are covered become a liability layer as well? I think If you check the record, you will see there have been multiple court cases that have cost districts quite a few dollars because the Districts did nothing to protect Gay and Lesbian Students. Part of that protection is to let all concerned know they are protected.
   And further, would it not also be another liability level if it becomes clear that the district seemed at every turn to actively and energetically avoid making this clear.
   When Dr. Faison was "reassigned" to another administrative position  for some odd reason his being the chair of the Diversity in Education Committee was rendered impossible. A new chair was "appointed", but because of "pressing" duties the committee has not been reconvened since May of 1998. That is a FIVE YEAR time period. That was not a reasonable or good faith move. It was an excuse.
  If it is a question of another layer, let's drop one of the other groups and add sexual orientation if it is just a case of numbers and not students.
  Presently we do not allow harassment or discrimination based on race, color, gender, national origin, religion, disability and age. One is a choice. Let's drop it.
   In the State Standards for the Performance and Conduct of Teachers there is no hesitation as they include  "race, color, creed, sex, national origin, marital status, political or religious beliefs, family, social or cultural background, or SEXUAL ORIENTATION."
Does this put another layer of liability on the state department of education, or are they being smart and avoiding future problems?
   It never ceaes to amaze me the amount of time, effort and rhetoric that has been used since 1997 to keep from adding these words or at least making it plain these kids are protected. If a student is harassed, harmed, forced to leave school or, God forbid, commits suicide would that not be a liability as it can be shown through meeting notes, newspaper articles and the SIGNED memos of administrators of the district that the district has actively avoided doing this. Remember, you saw the size of the notebook that contained the documents, you have not read them. NO memo I have received in the past that proported to speak for the district and explain its policies (and too often its reluctance) has been cancelled by any follow up memo.
    Norman has a safe schools program that has all the feared layers of liabilty. It might be good to contact them and see how they handle that pressure.
I would imagine the pressure exerted to clearly protect all students  is a little less than the pressure that would be needed to answer any court case.
    As far as the new Superintendent and bringing him up to speed, this has been used before. It does not wash. If it is acceptable, and as others may be too busy to do so, I would gladly use the time afforded by a 1:30 dismissal from summer school to do that myself.
    You set up the meeting, and I will be there.
C'MON. This is below the district.
Joseph Quigley

 

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