Board doesn’t support resolution

Community members offer strong opinions on both sides of Title IX issue

The Mentor School Board has voted not to support a resolution backing the Ohio Board of Education’s resolution to oppose proposed changes to Title IX, which would extend protections to transgender students.

In March 2021, President Joe Biden proposed an executive order guaranteeing an educational environment free from discrimination on the basis of sex, including sexual orientation or gender.

To counter that, Ohio Board of Education member Brendan Shea proposed a resolution to change Ohio’s educational policy tied to the federal Title IX regulations passed in 1972 that made it illegal to discriminate against students based their sex. Shea’s resolution would ban those assigned as one gender at birth from entering the other gender’s bathrooms.

The March 14 Mentor School Board meeting drew a packed crowd in Paradigm on the Mentor High School campus and more than 50 community members spoke over the course of more than four hours with many in favor of the resolution and many in opposition.

Board President Tom Tuttle and member Annie Payne were in support of Shea’s resolution. Board members Mary Bryner, Maggie Cook and Virginia Jeschelnig opposed.

Jeschelnig was the first board member to speak after a lengthy and spirited public participation session. She called it a “polarizing matter” and recognized that parents will be engaged if their children express concerns over gender issues. Counselors will be provided for families that make requests.

“Making a resolution that would have no legal bearing is cruel and flies in the face of what we believe in as district as far as kindness,” Jeschelnig said. “It is political posturing in the moment. We must follow the law.

“We are not legal experts and do not have medical training. Spending additional time going over the same topic instead of devoting efforts to other issues that need our attention seems ill-advised.”

Tuttle read from a source called the Alliance Defending Freedom to “dispel the myth that Title IX requires transgender students to be permitted to use opposite sex bathrooms, locker rooms and showers.” He said Title IX recognizes safety and privacy concerns when it comes to the use of facilities on the basis of sex.

Tuttle later added he is in support of the resolution because he feels it would move the restroom situation “forward” and he agreed that transgender students should use a separate bathroom provided by the school.

Payne welcomed all opinions on the matter and admitted the resolution isn’t “perfect” despite reaffirming her support.

She also referenced that Riverside Schools recently passed the same resolution.

Payne reminded the crowd that there are singlestall gender-neutral bathrooms available in the district and she wants to see all students feel safe and for an open line of communication to be available between the school administrators and families.

“I feel like this resolution affirms parents’ rights and it is why I believe it should be passed,” Payne said. “I also think this resolution addresses the communication timeline to involve parents. They want to know immediately, they know what is best for their child as opposed to just having their child sent to the guidance counselor.”

Mentor Superintendent Craig Heath said he has been informed that the high

school has approximately 30 transitioning students and that communication plans are in place for all.

“The goal is not to hide things from the family. We are prepared to communicate and involve the parents every single time,” Heath said.

Cook said risking federal financial aid and potential legal matters by passing the resolution would not be responsible as a representative of the district.

“I’m aware of the different opinions on this matter and I respect all opinions, but all students should receive an education without discrimination and I reject this resolution,” Cook said.

Bryner was the final board member to speak.

“This resolution includes false scientific assertions, repeats harmful stereotypes and endangers LGBTQ students,” Bryner said. “I find it morally reprehensible. As a district we strive to create an environment that is free from fear and protects all students from discrimination. We accept and celebrate diversity and differences. We should focus on moving forward not backwards. This is not moving forward.”

The debate over allowing transgender or transitioning students into bathrooms or locker rooms assigned to biologically born male or female students often drew applause and cheers on both sides.

One father in favor of the resolution challenged the board to “stay in their lane.”

“I don’t need help from you to raise my children. Your job is to educate them. I will raise them,” he said.

Many parents in favor of the resolution cited “safety and security” for their daughters, who they said did not feel comfortable with transgender students in the girls bathroom.

Prepared with statistics, asking for definitions of certain language in the rules and providing examples of problems in other school districts as well as referencing a video circulating of an incident at Mentor High School, those in favor were passionate in their stance that those students born male should not be allowed in the girls bathroom regardless of declaring their transitioning.

Several speakers told the board if the resolution was not passed, repercussions could include voting against the upcoming school levy and one community member said “lawsuits come on both sides of the aisle.”

There was equal passion for those speaking against the proposal, including a transgender student who challenged those in favor of the proposal.

“I’m sorry if I don’t fit into your definition of ‘normal.’ I am a girl and I just want to be able to feel safe at school and to challenge the ignorance of some adults even as a student,” she said.

One parent simply asked the board “why?” She wanted to know why this was a pressing issue when school violence, bullying and improvements in general education would be better items to focus on.

The full meeting can be viewed on YouTube at youtube.com/live/

“I’m aware of the different opinions on this matter and I respect all opinions, but all students should receive an education without discrimination and I reject this resolution.” — Maggie Cook, board member