LPS superintendent ‘looking into’ staff meeting regarding LGBTQ+ student support

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Lincoln Public Schools addressed a staff meeting that happened earlier in August.

Superintendent Dr. Paul Gausman addressed the meeting before Tuesday’s board of education meeting.

Ryan Sallans, a speaker and author from Nebraska, held a learning session for school nurses, counselors, social workers and other staff titled “Supporting all Students” on Aug. 10.

Teachers were not invited to the learning session.

An LPS spokeswoman said Sallans uses data and strategies to help staff better understand how to support students who identify as LGBTQ+.

The information is not shared with students and is only meant to help staff to help better serve students that indicate they are transitioning.

Gausman addressed a quote from the session that had been going around social media.

“I want to be clear, that it has been reliably reported to me by several staff members that the speaker did not say the quote that has been attributed to that speaker on social media,” Gausman said.

He said there has been some disagreement about what was actually said in the meeting.

Gausman says he will now be “looking into” the meeting further to get a better sense of what staff members heard.

“This is an opportunity for me to review our practices when choosing presenters if we’re going to be true to our mission of ‘all means all,'” Gausman said.  “We may need to consider our speakers through a wider lens over time.”

Gausman made it clear that staff members are trained professionals “dedicated” to doing what is best for kids.

“We are legally and morally obligated to provide appropriate training to our staff to ensure that all of our students have access to programs and activities free from harassment, bullying and exclusion,” Gausman said.  “We will continue to pursue those training opportunities for our staff so they may help our students succeed.”