Dr. Duran must go
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Anonymous
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An even stronger statement from Dr. Duran/APS and I, for one, really appreciate it.
Dear APS Community, As many of you are aware, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) announced new model policies for the treatment of transgender, non-binary and gender fluid students. I reaffirm our unwavering support for our LGBTQIA+ students, staff and community. I want our transgender, non-binary, and gender fluid students to hear loud and clear that you belong here, you are valued, and we stand with and support you. Who you are enhances the lives and educational experiences of all APS students and staff. We have reviewed the model policies and determined that our current policies and policy implementation procedures that protect the rights of our transgender students will stay as is. Moreover, they are in alignment with decisions from the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1973, and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. I oppose any policy that infringes upon the rights of our students and threatens the safety and well-being of our LGBTQIA+ students. APS will continue to uphold our core mission and follow our policies to ensure that every child receives equal educational access and opportunities. We fully support our transgender and LGBTQIA+ students and value the many diverse identities within our schools, where every student can authentically express themselves, feel valued and have a genuine sense of belonging. I know that the announcement of these new model policies may be distressing to some of our students. As we transition into the 2023-24 school year, school counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers are available at our schools to provide a listening and reassuring space. Additional resources for transgender, non-binary, and gender fluid youth may be found on our website and the on the Arlington County website. If families have any additional questions or concerns, they may also reach out to their child’s school. We will continue to model and live our values in support of inclusion, belonging, well-being and access to quality education. To this end, our current policies and procedures that protect, affirm, and celebrate transgender, non-binary, and gender-fluid students are of paramount importance in adhering to these ideals. Sincerely, Dr. Francisco Durán Superintendent |
Anonymous
| It will bring litigation, waste APS money and I’m opposed to those things |
Anonymous
The parallels to the anti-mask executive order are striking. |
Anonymous
And remind me how the challenges to that went… |
Anonymous
Preliminary injunction followed by an appeal. The appeal was mooted by the passage of the new law. One thing I haven’t seen anyone discuss is what legal or regulatory force these model policies have. Are there consequences for explicitly going against them? Or are they just glorified best practices? |
Anonymous
They went very well for the school divisions. |
Anonymous
While I'm not a fan of baseless litigation, I think it's warranted as necessary to protect a marginalized group's civil rights. I don't regard doing the right thing as a waste of money. |
Anonymous
1000% Protecting civil rights is worth the cost. |
Anonymous
| The new policies do not infringe in anyone’s civil rights. |
Anonymous
You may have heard of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness? |
Anonymous
Equal Protection Clause of 14th Amendment? |
Anonymous
Wow. People should really take a civics class. “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” is not part of the quality protection clause. It is from the Declaration of Independence. |
Anonymous
Pretty embarrassing that someone living in Northern Virginia doesn’t know the difference between the Equal Protection Clause and the Declaration of Independence. Supposedly this is the most educated region of the country and half the people here work for the federal government, Congress or are contractors for the government. What a joke. |
Anonymous
PP: I wasn’t saying the EPC was part of the Declaration. I posted that reference to the EPC as a rebuttal to the idea that these policies do not violate civil rights. I wasn’t the one who posted about the Declaration bc obviously that’s not going to be the basis for a cause of action, but the EPC certainly could be. |
Anonymous
Why don’t you test that out in federal court and see what they say. I believe Arlington falls under the Eastern District of Virginia which isn’t known for its liberal leanings. But it’s ok you can then appeal to the 4th Circuit, which again is not known to be particularly liberal. But it’s ok you can take it all the way to the Supreme Court. I’m sure you will get the decision you are seeking 😂😂. All I’m saying here is arguing that this is a violation of the equal protection court is probably not the best strategy - it’s not something you want to test out. |