SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Independent School District board of trustees got an earful from parents opposed to their action to change the district's discrimination policy three weeks ago.
Forty-nine people signed up to speak during the “citizen’s presentation,” portion of the regular meeting on Monday. A large majority of them were there in regard to the change.
Last month, the board voted to expand the discrimination policy to include gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. Ruby Polanco, 17, was behind the move. She gathered 300 signatures from student supporters.
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But parents who only recently learned of the change are accusing the board of sneaking in the changes that will have other repercussions.
Robert Bond, a member of Faith Outreach International Church in San Antonio, worries the policy changes will expand to other districts, including his, although his children are homeschool and would not be impacted.
“The first concern was this was brought out sort of discreetly. We're concerned about right issues and having a voice about what's going on in our school,” he said.
Others with the same group showed up wearing yellow shirts and carrying signs expressing their frustration. Cherry Rocha said her family just moved into the district and she said she worries about what the change might mean in the future, regarding bathroom policy.
“The safety of my grandchildren that will be going to the school in the district is my biggest concern,” she said.
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Polanco said the move by the district has gotten a lot of attention from people who support her.
“I’ve been receiving emails from students and parents all over the district sharing their stories with me and telling me thank you,” Polanco said.
The comments Monday were simply part of the citizens comment portion of the meeting, and no action from the board was expected.
In the same meeting, the board voted to adopt a resolution seeking protection for students under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
President Donald Trump announced he will rescind the program and gave Congress six months to take action.
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