East Aurora school district dissolves transgender policy committee
by Tony Merevick on December 17, 2012
http://chicagophoenix.com/2012/12/17/east-aurora-school-district-dissolves-transgender-policy-committee/AURORA, Ill. — After over two months of contentious debate, controversy and uncertainty, the East Aurora School District 131 has called off the creation of a new policy that would add protections for transgender and gender nonconforming students.
After hearing over 30 members of the local community — about 40 miles west of Chicago — decry the creation of such a policy as "dangerous" for district students, the school board unanimously voted Monday to disband the Ad Hoc committee it ordered in late October, citing its failure to yield progress.
"We have gotten to hear from the parents of the community and I am glad for that," said Board President Annette Johnson. "I think this committee has served the purpose of bringing the community together and I think it is time to disband the committee."
Anita Lewis, a school board member who chaired the Ad Hoc committee said she was disappointed by its inability to get work done during its meetings due to people from within and outside the community demanding to be a part of the discussion.
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East Aurora says anti-bullying policy safeguards transgender students
By Erika Wurst
December 17, 2012 7:10PM
http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/news/17077164-418/east-school-board-disbands-committee-on-transgender-issues.html Following the heartfelt pleas of nearly 30 district parents, East Aurora School Board members Monday night unanimously agreed to disband its recently formed Ad Hoc Committee, and to find the district's current policies dealing with transgender students sufficient.
Nearly 200 residents packed into the small board room and overflowed into the halls, eager to face board members and have their concerns about proposed policies heard.
"No bullying policy covers all," one sign read, signaling to board members that the policies in place regarding the rights of the transgendered are good enough, and needn't be elaborated on, or tampered with to include more detailed procedures.
"It's enough. We don't want this policy ... put an end to it today," said Pastor Edwin Ruiz, who was one of several local clergymen to speak out. "You are here to listen to this community, and do what they want to do."
