Parents calling for change in LPS policy

By: Bill Schammert
bschammert@klkntv.com

A group of Lincoln Public Schools critics is calling for change. A new parent advocacy group, Citizens For Accountable & Responsible Education, or C.A.R.E., wants more transparency, more parental notification and an easier way to opt their kids out of certain classroom topics.

“Parents are upset,” C.A.R.E. President, Jon Cosby, said. “LPS seems to be hiding things.”

Cosby is referring to incidents last month regarding gender identity. He pointed to one such event that sparked national media headlines when some teachers were given pamphlets about gender inclusiveness. Those pamphlets suggested teachers refer to students as “purple penguins” or use nicknames instead of “boys” and “girls.” LPS Superintendent, Steve Joel, says the flyers were handed out as part of an activity to develop strategies to include all children and is not in anyway a policy.

Cosby was also upset about an event at Pirtle Elementary School when a classroom was read books that talked about cross dressing.

“Are biggest issue is to create more transparency,” he said. “Parents should have the option to opt their child out of such activities.”

C.A.R.E. is hoping to change LPS policy regarding such issues. Using some language from the Alliance for Defending Freedom, a Christian conservative group that advocates against same-sex marriage and other LGBT issues, it hopes LPS will change its policy to give parents the right to opt their child out of topics like sex education, family planning, gender identity, diversity issues and other controversial topics.

“Some topics are better taught in the home,” Cosby said.

LPS says it’s always trying to make improvements, but doesn’t believe it has a problem with transparency. Associate Superintendent of Business Affairs, Liz Standish, says if parents had complete access to all training and teaching materials it would create confusion.

“We want people to trust their schools,” she said. “And if there’s something they’re concerned about, we want them to feel comfortable coming forward.”

Standish says the district is encouraged that parents are trying to take a more active role in their child’s education and welcomes any and all conversations with C.A.R.E. At the moment, LPS doesn’t have a specific policy about discussing gender identity, but Standish says it’s important to maintain an inclusive classroom.

“We need to create a safe learning environment for every single child that walks through the door,” she said. 

For more information on C.A.R.E., click here.