Friday, July 18, 2008

Policy-Writing Committee Gives Misleading Information

Submitted to the West Bend Daily News, July 17 by Kathy Zarling (my notes in red):

"The policy is created to follow federal and state laws.

NOTE: Not true. This policy is created because of a state administrative code only.

Every organization that receives federal financial assistance must not discriminate as outlined in several federal laws.

Wisconsin Statute 118.13(1) states that “no person may be denied participation in, be denied benefits of or be discriminated against in any curricular, extracurricular, pupil service, recreational or other program or activity because of the person’s sex, race, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, martial or parental status, sexual orientation or physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability.”

NOTE: Misleading. This statute pertains to school participation, not harassment.

According to Wisconsin Statute 118.13(2)(a), each school board shall develop written policies and procedures related to discrimination.

NOTE: True, kind of. This statute, as stated above, pertains to school participation, not harassment. Discrimination and harassment are separate issues. Just to be clear, the chosen wording in the newly-drafted, however, is NOT required. The school board has taken it upon themselves to expand this policy inappropriately and unnecessarily.

Full article can be viewed here:

http://activepaper.olivesoftware.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=V0JETi8yMDA4LzA3LzE3I0FyMDA4MDU=&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom

No comments: