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Lakewood board vows to protect student rights amid state bills, federal orders
Summary
At a Feb. 3 rescheduled meeting, the Lakewood City Schools Board of Education said it will work with counsel to interpret recent Ohio legislation and federal executive orders and reaffirmed its commitment to support students, including transgender students; the board said it may issue a formal resolution after legal review.
President Katzenberger said the Lakewood City Schools Board of Education will work with legal counsel to interpret recently passed state bills and federal executive orders and will consider issuing a board resolution if necessary to protect students’ rights and well-being.
"We are a community that prides itself on being a place where all students belong and feel welcome," President Katzenberger said, adding that the district's "main purpose as educators and as a community is to protect the safety and well-being of our students."
The board's remarks came during the rescheduled meeting from Jan. 21, held Feb. 3. President Katzenberger outlined concerns about Ohio legislation signed by Gov. Mike DeWine and about incoming federal executive orders that, she said, could affect how schools serve transgender students, require religious instruction absences for some students, influence the teaching of U.S. history, or limit programs that promote diversity, equity and inclusion.
President Katzenberger said district staff and the board are "working together with advice of counsel to interpret these state and federal measures as they are issued and to determine what actions they actually require schools to take, how actions are monitored, and what consequences are involved." She told the board the district will provide updates in the coming weeks and "will issue a board resolution regarding some or all of these bills and orders if necessary and applicable."
A board member noted that potential federal changes to Department of Education funding could affect Title programs, special education and school lunch programs.
Other board members voiced support for the statement. One commented on "parental rights" debates at the state level and expressed concern that parents who want schools to protect students' dignity and individuality may be sidelined in recent legislative activity. Another board member said the district is watching the national and state developments and emphasized the district's reliance on local control, which she said is protected under the Ohio Constitution.
The board did not take a formal vote on a resolution at the Feb. 3 session; President Katzenberger said legal review is ongoing and that the board will update the public as it learns more.
The remarks appeared during the board comment portion of the rescheduled meeting; the board then proceeded to routine business, including approvals on the consent agenda and personnel items.
