Next Steps

Student advisory board and district leaders move towards change

By Jocelyn Lopez

The Stand Up To Hate Forum that occurred on Oct. 20 was an event set up by students to educate community members and more specifically to make sure district leaders heard LGBTQIA+ students’ voices about the struggles they face on a daily basis. Recently, district officials have been pushing for change with the students. Testimonials from students show the vulnerability and traumatic experiences being queer and the school not doing enough to prevent acts of hate.

In late September, Superintendent Dr. Curt Dubost released a statement banning Pride flags bigger than 2x2 feet and banners altering the American flag. On Tuesday Oct. 19, a pride mask was urinated on and burned during school. That same day, one day before the planned forum, Dubost released another statement saying that the flag “ban” was lifted and teachers could have pride flags as long as they met the 2x3 rule.

That afternoon Principal Anthony Overton released an email to students, administrators, and family members saying “WE MUST DO BETTER!” regarding the inappropriateness of hate speech, hateful actions, and their negative impact on our school culture.

Two days after the forum, Dubost met with 12 of the students who spoke at the forum in efforts to develop an action plan. While the district refused to change the 2x3 Pride flag limit, efforts are being made to implement better LGBTQIA+ education, health, and inclusiveness. Deputy Superintendent Jennifer Gaviola, PRHS Principal Anthony Overton, and Dr. Dubost have been meeting with the students once a week during Wednesday tutorials to discuss what can be done to make students feel safe on campus.

“It is absolutely essential to meet and discuss the safety and support of a student group who feels marginalized or threatened at our school site,” Gaviola said.
On Nov. 10, Gaviola, Dubost, and Overton released a statement regarding the “Next Steps on PRJUSD Continuous Improvement and Support for LGBQT+ Students,” via Parent Square, the district’s email and text app. The email summarized eight action items to help and continue to support LGBTQIA+ individuals and reached out to all students on campus. The actions, which they plan to implement by the end of the academic year, include training of staff on LGBTQ+ rights, safe changing places for trans students, and an audit of history curriculum to ensure inclusion of LGBTQ+ history in accordance with state laws. A task force of students, teachers, stakeholders, and administrators will oversee the action plan.

The district plans to implement these goals by the end of the school year while working closely with students, staff, and people influenced by the hate crime. All which include access to safe changing areas and restrooms for transgender students. Following with greater communication and education for everyone. Implementing training for the staff on the knowledge, attitudes, and skills to make schools safe and supportive for LGBTQIA+ students. Acknowledging the community on the rights of the LGBTQIA+ students on our school sites. Commitment to a consistent disciplinary system regarding hateful actions. Bystander training to try and eliminate bullying on campus. Fully developed, and communicated, counseling and Resources Center for LGBTQIA+ students. These students will be implemented in the education curriculum: History/Social Sciences as well as being incorporated in the teaching of ninth grade health and sex education.

Due to the big spark that this event has, community members have reached out to support these students. An anonymous source donated money to student clubs in order to give teachers 2x3 pride flags to hang in their classes.

John Laird, California state senator representing Paso Robles, has requested a meeting with the forum students on November 18. Senator Laird is the first openly gay California state senator and is a leader in statewide LGBTQ+ legislative initiatives.

In the future, the students and staff hope to create a safe place for LGBTQIA+ students. Education about sexual identities, gender neutral bathrooms, training for teachers, and enforcing stricter punshiments are topics being discussed at meetings. A council of students that decision makers consult before implementing policies that affect marginalized students are working on creating a safe place for queer people on campus.