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Public commenter urges Sumner-Bonney Lake board to adopt formal parental-authority policy
Summary
During public comment, Terry McCoy urged the Sumner Bonney Lake School District to adopt a written policy recognizing parents as the primary stakeholders in upbringing and curriculum decisions, citing Initiative I-2081, RCW 28A.605.005 and 2025 state legislation.
Terry McCoy addressed the Sumner Bonney Lake School District board during public comment on July 16, urging the board to adopt a formal district policy that recognizes and upholds parental authority over students' upbringing, education and wellness.
McCoy cited, as they described it, Initiative "I-2081" and RCW 28A.605.005, and referenced 2025 state legislation (named in the transcript as Senate Bill 5181) that the speaker said clarified timelines for parental access to student records and curriculum materials. McCoy also referenced a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision mentioned in the comment as "Mahmed v. Taylor," arguing the decision reaffirmed parental rights in certain educational contexts.
"Parents are not bystanders. Parents are partners," McCoy told the board, urging swift adoption of a written parental-authority policy aligned with the cited statutes and decisions to build trust and prevent confusion over sensitive topics.
The board did not take immediate action on the request during the July 16 meeting; the comment was taken under advisement in accordance with the district's public-comment procedures.
The speaker asked the board to consider policy language consistent with the state RCW cited in the transcript and with the more recent 2025 legislative changes named during the comment.
