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LGBTQ Support Letter

The School District of Palm Beach County wrote a letter to Florida legislators expressing concern over proposed bills that would undermine protections for LGBTQ students and censor honest discussions of LGBTQ and racial history. The district firmly believes in inclusion and equity for all students. They are worried that bills like HB 1557/SB1834 and HB 7/SB 148 threaten this mission and students' ability to receive a comprehensive education. The district requests that legislators ensure all students are informed and diversity is celebrated rather than silenced.

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116K views2 pages

LGBTQ Support Letter

The School District of Palm Beach County wrote a letter to Florida legislators expressing concern over proposed bills that would undermine protections for LGBTQ students and censor honest discussions of LGBTQ and racial history. The district firmly believes in inclusion and equity for all students. They are worried that bills like HB 1557/SB1834 and HB 7/SB 148 threaten this mission and students' ability to receive a comprehensive education. The district requests that legislators ensure all students are informed and diversity is celebrated rather than silenced.

Uploaded by

Matt Papaycik
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF MICHAEL J. BURKE FRANK A. BARBIERI, JR., ESQ.

PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL SUPERINTENDENT BOARD CHAIRMAN

OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT KAREN M. BRILL


3300 FOREST HILL BOULEVARD, C-316 BOARD VICE CHAIR
WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33406-5869
MARCIA ANDREWS
PHONE: 561-649-6833 / FAX: 561-649-6837 ALEXANDRIA AYALA
WWW.PALMBEACHSCHOOLS.ORG BARBARA MCQUINN
DEBRA L. ROBINSON, M.D.
ERICA WHITFIELD

February 23, 2022

Dear Florida Legislators:

The School District of Palm Beach County takes great pride in holding true to our mission of educating, affirming,
and inspiring each student in an equity-embedded school system in which both students and staff are unimpeded
by bias or discrimination.

It is that firm and unwavering conviction to universal inclusion and equity that necessitates this important letter
in which we express our displeasure, and stand firmly against any legislation that would compromise acceptance
and respect for our students based on race, religion, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or
any other demographic targeted for discriminatory exclusion.

During this Legislative Session, proposals regarding LGBTQ students are particularly worrisome and threaten the
ideals of inclusion. Specifically, we are concerned that HB 1557/SB1834 would undermine existing protections for
LGBTQ students by standing as a barrier to teachers who are currently providing a safe, inclusive classroom.

We also take issue with HB 7/SB 148, which represents censorship and would compromise an educator’s ability
to teach honest LGBTQ history, Black history, and the historic reasons behind gender and race discrimination.
Together, these measures compromise the ability for a student to receive a comprehensive education.

As educators we must stand up against hate in every form and fashion and be intentional and proactive about
creating a safe learning environment. As a District committed to creating inclusive classroom communities that
promote social justice, we understand the importance of age-appropriate conversations that will empower our
students to develop a tolerance, respect, and acceptance for those who are different than themselves. It should
be noted that we recognize that information regarding LGBTQ matters are conversations for older students and
are not discussed in our primary grades.

The School District of Palm Beach County, Florida


A Top High-Performing A-Rated School District
An Equal Opportunity Education Provider and Employer
Page 2 of 2
February 23, 2022
Florida Legislators – LGBTQ Support Letter

Legislators, as we work together toward the common goal of empowering all students, we request that you stand
united with us in ensuring that children are informed, thereby making them poised to thrive and succeed and that
diversity is celebrated and nurtured, not silenced or censored.

Respectfully,

Michael J. Burke Frank A. Barbieri, Jr., Esq.


Superintendent Board Chairman on behalf of the School Board

C: Karen Brill, Vice Chair


Debra L. Robinson, M.D., Board Member
Marcia Andrews, Board Member
Erica Whitfield, Board Member
Barbara McQuinn, Board Member
Alexandria Ayala, Board Member

The School District of Palm Beach County


A Top High-Performing A-Rated School District
An Equal Opportunity Education Provider and Employer

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