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Public urges clearer anti-discrimination language and school protections for immigrant students; board and superintendent reiterate existing protocols
Summary
Public commenters on June 10 urged the Sarasota County School Board to restore clear anti‑discrimination language for sexual orientation and gender identity in district policy and to assure immigrant families that schools remain safe and that legal and privacy protocols will be followed.
Several public commenters at the June 10 Sarasota County School Board meeting urged the district to restore or clarify explicit anti‑discrimination language in its student code of conduct and to make clear protections for immigrant students against actions that could disrupt attendance and learning.
Deb Hayes, speaking for faith and social‑justice constituencies, urged the board to ensure “protections for individuals’ sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression” are spelled out clearly in district policies. “Being who you are should never make you subject to discrimination,” Hayes said and asked the board to make protections explicit in “every document, policy, and procedure in the district.”
Other public speakers described fear among immigrant families and students. J.T. Pryor, who said he serves a local congregation, described families who have stopped…
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