In a response to Spectrum’s actions toward a policy change from the school board, members of local churches began circulating a petition.  On this page, you will first see the public notice that they placed on cars at many school events.  This was also used when the groups went door-to-door and attempted to collect signatures.  Next, you will find the letter to the school board that also functioned as a prompter for people signing the petition.  Keep in mind that a great majority of this information is false: most of the policy titles are wrong, hardly any of the facts about Spectrum are true, and the general tone is very hateful.

!!! Public Notice !!!

Are YOU aware of the current issue facing North Olmsted High School in regards to their Student Code of Conduct?

It is much more than a debate between Spectrum, the School Board, and the community – it is about the future of our school, our children, and choosing to do what is RIGHT!

Who is Spectrum?

Spectrum is a student gay/straight alliance group that was formed in August 1998 by three North Olmsted High School students.  The group is registered as an official gay/straight alliance with the Student Pride program of the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network.  Susan Meara, a parent of one of the former members, is the Spectrum advisor.

What is the issue?

Members of Spectrum lobbied and asked the School Board last year to incorporate the words “sexual orientation” into its written policies (right along with race, gender, and age) to prevent that form of discrimination.  “Sexual orientation” refers to whom a person chooses to have a sexual relationship with, whether male or female.  They also lobbied for a change to the current discrimination and harassment policies in the Student Code of Conduct.  The School Board at that time said its policies already protect against all manners of discrimination.

What happened?

The School’s legal counsel was asked to review the old policy to determine if “sexual orientation” needed to be added.  The counsel said it was already covered in the current policy.

The Board first voted 3-2 against the school district policy change in June 2000, but agreed instead to change the Student Code of Conduct, which is a part of the Student Handbook, so it will cite “sexual orientation” as an example of discrimination and harassment that will not be tolerated.

Spectrum continued to lobby for the district policy change.  The Board has now AGREED to change the Student Code of Conduct (which is posted in every classroom in every school building) and the Student Handbook to include the terms “sexual orientation”, and also to change the definition of harassment.

The following is the revised statement that will be posted in all schools and classrooms:

“All members of the North Olmsted School Community-faculty, staff, and students-are expected to treat each other with dignity and respect, and each is entitled to freedom from any kind of personal harassment.  Harassment in any form, including but not limited to race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, language, age, religion, physical appearance, physical or mental capacity, will not be tolerated.

Harassment is defined as unwelcome, harmful behavior towards another person because the behavior is annoying, bothersome, or physically and/or emotionally injurious.  Forms of harassment can include verbal and/or written remarks, symbols, caricatures, physical contact, gestures, innuendo, gossip, phone calls, among other acts.  The significant point is that a victim of harassment feels uncomfortable, intimidated, or physically or emotionally hurt as a result of someone else’s behavior, regardless of intent.”

Is this what YOU want?

If not, please sign our petition, which will be presented to the Board at their next meeting on August 28, 2000.  It is time to stand for what is right!

Please attend the next North Olmsted School Board meeting where we will have a petition for you to sign.  The meeting is August 28, 2000, at 7:30pm in the Middle School Auditorium.  Please come early and sign the petition.  Thank You!

August 10, 2000

Dr. Sebring and Board Members,

     The following residents of the city of North Olmsted, many of whom are parents and students that attend the North Olmsted schools, would like to express our feelings and our concerns in regards to the changes made to the Student Code of Conduct in the areas of discrimination and harassment.  We strongly disagree with the language chosen by the School Board and its attorneys regarding the Code of Conduct/policy.  Specifically, we disagree with identifying “sexual orientation” as a protected class.  The new language qualifies “sexual orientation” right along with race, gender, and age.  We do not feel that any special treatment should be afforded to those who CHOOSE to be homosexual or bisexual, just as we do not feel that any special treatment should be afforded to one who CHOOSES to be a Christian.  We do not condone, nor do we promote, harassment or discrimination towards any human being at any time.  This kind of treatment goes against what the Bible teaches (Mathew 5:44).  However, by changing the current Code of Conduct/policy to include the words “sexual orientation”, you are specifically identifying a group or a person that cannot be discriminated against or harassed, while other non-listed groups are left out.  We do not feel that ANYONE should be discriminated against or harassed.  Why not change the Code of Conduct/policy to say, “No one has the right to be discriminate or harass ANYONE at any time?”  Why is it necessary to list specifics?  By specifically listing “sexual orientation” as a protected class, we feel that the School Board is stating that homosexuality is an acceptable way of life and that one is born that way.  We do not agree with this position and find it offensive!  We believe that what we have is an enforcement issue, not a Code of Conduct/policy issue.  We recommend that the Board consider changing this new Code of Conduct/policy and re-wording it so that “sexual orientation” is not singled out in the verbiage, but instead, that all classes of human being be included in the Code of Conduct/policy.
     We also do not agree with the definition of harassment approved by the Board and its attorneys.  Terms such as “annoying”, “bothersome”, and “regardless of intent” are far too vague and difficult to identify.  By having this wording in the handbook, the control and judgment of the teaching staff is at serious risk.  No longer will the teacher decide which circumstances require punishment or further disciplinary action, but the student will be able to point to his or her “right”, take the control and judgment away from the teacher, claim that he or she has been “harassed” according to the definition, and demand that disciplinary action be taken.  Who will define what is “annoying” and “bothersome” to someone?  How serious must this “annoying” behavior be in order to be considered harassment?  We feel that this language will cause more harm than good and will create more problems instead of solving them.  We recommend that this definition of harassment be removed from the new Code of Conduct/policy.

     Thank you very much for your consideration of these concerns.  We, like you, want what is best for our students here in North Olmsted.  We hope that the Board will re-open this item for further discussion and eventually change the current rendering of the Code of Conduct/policy.

Signed: (Please see attached signatures)