LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

January 18, 2005

Parent doesn’t speak for all

The California Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act of 2000 prohibits discrimination and harassment of students on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in California public schools. The law, authored as AB 537 by then-Assemblywoman Sheila Kuehl and signed into law by Gov. Gray Davis, amended the State Education Code by adding "actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity" to existing sections on discrimination.

This bill was signed into law in order that school personnel could legally protect any student from bullying and harassment, including students who were being persecuted for their perceived sexual orientation. This does not translate to Mr. D’Andrea’s "in your face, blatant approach to issues that don’t belong in the classroom." This translates to a state-supported school culture of tolerance and a community value system.

By what reasoning, then, does Mr. D’Andrea contend that Scotts Valley High School teachers, by legally providing a safe place for all students to co-exist, are causing "our religious, moral and family values (to be) being tread (sic) upon?" For whom does he speak and for whose values.

He does not speak for me. And I am sure that he does not speak for the majority of residents, students, parents and teachers in this exceptional community, because I hope that we want to live in a world where everyone is respected.

KERRY LE ROUX

TEACHER, SCOTTS VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL

BEN LOMOND



S.V. High has no agenda

"Reverse intolerance" is tolerance. How proud I am, then, to be one of many dedicated employees on a campus that gained front-page notoriety for this perceived "offense." As one of the veterans of this newborn high school, I was never aware of a "single- focused gay and lesbian agenda" on campus. It is my understanding that we are to focus on our subject matter, which we do tirelessly.

Perhaps those who would throw mud at us have not investigated the true focus of this school. We were hired with an understanding that we were to pursue academic excellence. We were chosen because of our academic preparedness, dedication and interest in teaching rigorous curriculum. We are in the majority credentialed and with master’s degrees. We have graduated from some of the best colleges in the nation.

One of our fine teachers indicted in your article is a graduate of Smith College. She teaches International Baccalaureate English, which is not only ultimately demanding but requires extensive hours of reading and commentary far beyond the regular paid daytime hours. This she does with a passionate support for those students who wish to go on to great institutions of higher learning. Some of the most successful students at Scotts Valley High School have spent years with the teachers who are now being victimized. As they now enjoy their college years at Berkeley, majoring in biology or attacking papers easily at Notre Dame, these students’ mentors are aching from attacks from select individuals in a community they hoped to enrich.

On a personal note, I take offense being grouped into a lump of people who present "nowhere near balanced" views. I present my subject matter, not anyone’s agenda. But for the record, there is no balance between love and hate, between safety and suicide. And to casually mention the "raising of a child" as a piece of evidence against this little family is heinous.

KARIN BABBITT, MA

FELTON



Posters teach respect

There is no "gay agenda" at Scotts Valley High School. I am a teacher there, and I am heterosexual. The only agenda I push is respect. After reading the article "Debate stirs over whether Scotts Valley High promotes a ‘gay agenda,’ " I was disappointed with the flimsy coverage of the issue. D’Andrea is quoted saying that the posters he wants removed from classrooms amount to "indoctrination and propagandization ... reverse intolerance." The article fails to mention what the posters actually say. They say, "This place respects all people regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability," "Safe Place, Safe Person," and "Respect all families." D’Andrea says that his is a mission to create balance and that "it’s about respecting everyone." But his actions and words clearly show a lack of respect for one group of people. GLBT students face discrimination daily. These posters say to everyone, "You can feel safe in here. You can be yourself. You can be proud of who you are." If a GLBT students were to wonder, "Does that mean me too?" the posters say, "Yes, you too." To take the posters down would be to neglect the students who need our support most. It would only help those who, in fact, do not respect everyone.

MATTHEW ODERMAN

TEACHER, SCOTTS VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL

SANTA CRUZ