Schools

School Assembly Riles Some Parents

Superintendent said he will approve future assemblies

A discussing drug abuse and bullying last week went on a tangent that riled some parents and appeared to surprise the district.

Several parents said one of the speakers was giving her presentation when she told the students she was bullied because she is gay. The speaker then began discussing her lifestyle that some parents said they did not think was appropriate in school.

Only freshmen and sophomores were present during the assembly on March 17 because juniors were taking standardized tests and seniors were elsewhere in the building.

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Angela Gillot spoke during and said she thought the speaker’s presentation “crossed the line.” She also asked why parents were not told there would be an assembly for some of the high school students.

“It was very uncomfortable for the students and the teachers,” she said.

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District Superintendent Brian White Jr. said the district “failed to communicate to the parents” and each principal has been told to send letters home for any assemblies that are out of the realm of typical presentations. The school district does not currently have a policy regarding assemblies, so White said he will now authorize any in the future until the board approves the guidelines.

“There was a topic and they’re sometimes open to interpretation,” White said. “It’s a big umbrella. Some people took it very differently than others. The parents really have a right to know what’s happening.”

George Brkovich said he was surprised when his 10th grade son came home from school and told him what happened. He said he thinks those types of conversations should be handled by parents at home rather than at a school assembly.

“We’ve always had our discussions at home and this was way out of that realm,” Brkovich said. “How it was discussed at school was different than how I would’ve discussed it. I think the school was taken off guard by it, too.”

 

Also during the school board meeting…

-The school board left for a lengthy executive session to interview candidates to replace primary school Assistant Principal Melva Devin, who is retiring at the end of the year. The board hired Julie Hopp, who is from the Beaver Area School District, and she will begin her new job on July 1.

-Several computer vendors will be coming to the high school over the next few weeks to discuss with teachers and students what kind of technology they will need in the classroom. White said the school board is considering one-on-one education utilizing laptop computers and thinks the teachers and students will give better feedback to which equipment is needed or most useful.

-The school board’s April 12 workshop meeting has been canceled.


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