Rudy Canoza <js@phendrie.con> wrote in
news:sD45J.64116$tG6.34124@fx39.iad:

> Take those fucking queers down the Ozarks and drown them.

A Missouri school board rejected an LGBTQ+ "statement of support" after
facing calls to draft a statement from community members.

Springfield Public Schools board member Shurita Thomas-Tate suggested that
the board draft a statement at a school board meeting on Tuesday. When
making a case for an LGBTQ statement, Thomas-Tate said that students of
the LGBTQ community expressed that they don�t feel "safe."

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"I personally would like for us to have a resolution and the reason why I
think a resolution is necessary because we do have a subset of our student
population who have voiced significant concern about their welcoming
environment," Thomas-Tate said.

She added that it does not "cost" the board anything to ensure that a
certain demographic of students feel supported.

The effort to draft a statement began earlier in the year.

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Community members started an online petition in January demanding that
Springfield Public Schools (SPS) "vote on making a statement of support
for the queer students and staff who are enrolled in/work for the SPS"
throughout the academic year.

Furthermore, the petition called on the SPS board to vote on a draft
statement submitted by Dr. Kyler J. Sherman-Wilkins during a board meeting
on Sept. 6.

The petition cites statistics saying that one-fifth of Gen Z students
identify within the LGBTQ+ community and that over 65% say they
experienced bullying or feel unsafe at school. Moreover, 45% of them have
suicidal thoughts or attempts.

The petition garnered nearly 400 signatures.

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"We believe that while such a statement does not address all of the
concerns faced by queer students and staff, it is a necessary first step
to ensuring that said students and staff are welcomed and supported at
SPS. We demand this action be taken immediately," the petition reads.

However, the board did not work in their favor after other board members
disagreed with the suggestion.

Board member Steve Makoski, who "prepared a statement" in response to the
resolution, pushed back on the suggestion to draft an LGBTQ+ affirming
statement, prompting applause.

"As a member of this prestigious board, I'm not here to push forward an
agenda of sexual identity, GLO... rainbow clubs, MAGA groups, Pride, NRA,
NAACP, or any other group or faction," Makoski said.

He continued, "This resolution is nothing more than a distraction for our
school system."

Makoski went on to say, "I view this resolution as an attack on these four
walls by activists... who constantly try to distract this board from its
mission and vision.

"I did not become a member of this board to help facilitate activists and
their agenda."

When Fox News Digital reached out to SPS for comment, it sent a statement
saying, "Our Board of Education remains committed to the well-being of
each student by providing high-quality academic opportunities."

"We want every Springfield Public School (SPS) student to be success-ready
when they graduate and pursue their next step. While there may not always
be agreement, we are unanimous in the adoption of a five-year Strategic
Plan that prioritizes all students," the statement continued.

"This plan includes a focus on creating a welcoming and inclusive learning
environment for everyone. We care about our students, staff, and their
families. Our unified vision is for SPS to be the district of choice that
equips each student to pursue their goals and highest potential as an
engaged contributor to society. As we move forward, our focus will remain
on that outcome."

https://www.foxnews.com/media/missouri-school-board-rejects-lgbtq-
statement-support-im-not-here-to-push-forward-an-agenda