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Parents and volunteers ask Wappingers to reaffirm support for LGBTQ+ students after federal order
Summary
Community members urged the board to issue a public statement defending district diversity, equity and inclusion work and protecting transgender students following a federal executive order; volunteers said they will send sample language to the district.
During the public comment period at the Feb. 10 meeting, parents and volunteers urged the Wappingers Central School District to publicly reaffirm its support for LGBTQ+ students and its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) work in response to a recent federal executive order.
"We started this organization in response to the coordinated attack on public schools," said Laurie Lee Abbey, who identified herself as a volunteer and co‑founder of the nonprofit Defense of Democracy. Abbey asked the board to issue a statement like those other districts had sent rejecting instructions in the order and reaffirming support for LGBTQ+ students and staff. "I will send you an email with that letter tomorrow," she told trustees.
Lisa Papantonio, also a volunteer and a therapist who works with students in the district, thanked the superintendent for a district message and encouraged officials to "lean into the DEI programs that are already available." She said many parents and students are anxious and that a clear public statement would reassure families.
Superintendent Dr. Bonk noted the district already has processes for responding to public concerns and asked commenters to submit questions to the superintendent's office; administration staff said the district will post the facilities presentation and follow up on public inquiries. No formal board action on the DEI request was taken at the meeting.
