Parent urges district to require same-sex cabin options after outdoor school housing incident

Parent Sean Winter urged the Oregon City School District Board of Education on Zoom to require partner camps to provide same‑sex overnight housing options and notify families in advance after learning that “some girls were assigned to overnight cabins with a biological male cabin leader” without prior notice.

Winter said his family opted out of the program and told the board the lack of transparency “continues to erode trust among families.” He asked the board to select outdoor‑school partners that guarantee same‑sex accommodations and to provide upfront notice so families can choose same‑sex cabins if they prefer.

The concern came during the public‑comment section of the board meeting. Winter framed his request as a privacy and safety issue and referenced Title IX while saying the district “may not directly control the camp’s policies” but does select partners. He asked the board to “partner with a camp that guarantees same‑sex accommodations, ensure transparent communication with parents about housing policies, and advocate for all students’ rights to privacy and safety consistent with Title IX.”

Another public commenter who spoke in person, Michelle Sanders, a parent and volunteer at Gardner Middle School, addressed outdoor‑school counselors in a different portion of public comment and urged the board not to let adults’ fears drive decisions that limit students’ learning and inclusion. Sanders said adults should “do the work” to address their concerns rather than ask children to “accommodate the fears of grown ups.”

No formal board action was recorded on the matter during the meeting; the item was part of patron input and public comment. The board and staff indicated they were listening to public concerns but did not announce an immediate policy change or vote at that session. Winter specifically referenced a March 10 discussion he had raised earlier with the board as background for his request.

Board members did not adopt a new policy at the meeting; the public comment provides a record of community concern and a clear request for the board to pursue partner‑camp assurances and improved pre‑trip communications.

The board has not yet published a formal response or directive tied to Winter’s request; families seeking immediate change were told the public‑comment period is a forum for raising concerns to the board and that staff and board members would take the remarks under advisement.