District’s new inclusion policy still controversial with some parents
By Jean Jacques Bohl
About 20 people gathered at Hailey Coffee Company last Friday to ask questions of Blaine County School District Superintendent GwenCarol Holmes during a Coffee with the Community. Assistant Superintendent John Blackman was also present. The meeting was the first gathering that Holmes intends to hold each month for the community. They will be held at different venues throughout Blaine County.
The format of the meeting, which lasted for over an hour, was a question-and-answer session. Holmes stressed that there was no agenda to the meeting. The atmosphere was very informal and convivial although the background noises made it at times difficult to understand the questions and their answers. Some people stayed for the whole session while others left after having asked their question.
The newly adopted gender inclusion policy by the School District Board of Trustees at the August meeting was the topic of many questions. Some parents expressed their frustration with the District’s policy.
“The Board’s intention is to make sure that all kids are safe,” Holmes said. “It was not a reaction to any presidential mandate.”
She stressed that in order for students to use the bathroom of the gender with which they identify, they must exhibit consistent behavior and indicate their choice to the school’s administration.
Holmes said she’d recently met with all the physical education teachers and coaches to explain the new protocols. The boys’ locker room at Carey School as well as Wood River Middle School’s locker rooms will be remodeled to assure privacy for their users. The funds will come out of the District’s Building Fund and will not impact the current year’s budget.
Holmes said school attendance was at 98 percent for the start of the school year, which was an improvement over last year’s 94 percent. The districtwide enrollment grew by about 50 students. There are still some teaching positions open, due to late resignations. The District advertises locally, statewide and nationwide. Although the salary schedule attracts a lot of initial interest, the cost of living and the lack of professional jobs for spouses are deterring many married teachers to accept positions.
“It is getting harder and harder to find teachers even on the national level,” Holmes said, but added that, “teacher morale is good.”
Holmes told the gathering that each building will set up its own professional development to best address the overall District goals of “engaging students” and make the learning relevant to them.
One parent said that conservative students feel somehow intimidated at the high school. Blackman responded that the District has a written policy banning any form of bullying, hazing or intimidation. Advisory groups at WRHS have the mission to facilitate respectful dialog between all students.
The next Coffee with the Community will be held at 8 a.m. Friday, Oct. 7, at Starbucks in Ketchum.
The state of the Blaine County School Board
The Blaine County School District Board of Trustees still seeks candidates to represent Zone 3. Trustee Carole Freund resigned in June, citing health reasons.
Currently, two people have declared their candidacy, Irene Healy and Pamela Plowman. The Board will hold a public interview for the candidates at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 20 at the Community Campus.
Four trustees currently serve on the Board. Chairperson Shawn Bennion was elected in 2011; Vice Chair Elizabeth Corker was appointed in 2013 and was subsequently elected in 2015; Trustee Cami Bustos was appointed in 2015; and Trustee Rob Clayton was appointed in 2015.
These appointments came after trustee resignations. A trustee’s term is for four years. Candidates have until 3 p.m., Friday Sept. 9 to submit a letter of interest to Clerk of the Board Amanda LaChance.
LaChance can be reached at the District office in Hailey at (208) 578-5000, or AmandaLaChance@blaineschools.org.