see EQUITY

Continued from pg. 1

representative Bob Hundley asked that the item be moved from the consent agenda to the action items section, allowing a separate vote on the matter.

There was no explanation regarding the reasoning that prompted the Arizonabased organization to become involved in review of the policy that addresses equal opportunities for all students, but board members approved the request by a 4-3 vote.

Mechanicsville school board member Sterling Daniel said he didn’t think the extra legal counsel was necessary, but South Anna District representative Bob May motioned to approve the agreement. Board chair Ola Hawkins and Hundley joined Daniel in opposing the action.

It’s the latest round in a battle to amend the policy regarding equal education opportunities for students in Hanover schools. Last year, the board made some changes to the policy but opted to not include crucial elements to the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) guidelines that ensure transgender students the right to access use the bathroom of their choice.

Failure to include those guarantees that some contend is mandated under VDOE policy resulted in a lawsuit

Jim Ridolphi for The Local

Kimberly Thurston speaks in favor of retaining Alliance Defending Freedom as a consultant regarding equity policy in Hanover County. She was one of several citizens to do so.

Jim Ridolphi for The Local

Peggy Lavinder, has two children in Hanover schools, warns the school board that Alliance Defending Freedom is an organization that seeks to blur the line between church and state.

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Jim Ridolphi for The Local

Pat Hunter-Jordan speaks in favor of the proclamation denoting Equity in Education week, but added the words need to be followed with actions at last week’s School Board meeting.

Peggy Lavinder of Mechanicsville said groups like Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) should not have input regarding HCPS policies, especially ones that address longstanding inequities.

“ADF has a long history of targeting the rights of the LGBTQ community,” Lavender said. “They are an extreme, conservative Christian organization that seeks to blur the line between church and state. They have no place in the discussion of Policy 7-1.2 Equal Education Opportunity.”

Lavender told board members she would like to know “how this item ended up on the agenda” and said she contacted Cold Harbor board member Steven Ikenberry for answers.

“He told me that he wanted to hear from all sides,” she said.

Jim Ridolphi for The Local

Mechanicsville school board rep Sterling Daniel said he didn’t think it necessary to acquire outside legal counsel to study the policy at last week’s meeting. Beaverdam rep John Axselle looks on.

Lavender questioned if groups like Equality Virginia were consulted. “The answer was no,” she said.

Rebecca Highfield questioned board members regarding the nature of the group being considered for legal counsel. “Are you aware that Alliance Defending Freedom is a recognized hate group with an agenda to deny the rights of…. transgender students,” she said. “This group should not get to impose their religious views on our school policies.”

Kimberly Thurston of Mechanicsville said she supported the board’s intention to involve Freedom Alliance in the equity discussion. “I am thrilled to see that you all as a board are encouraged to review policy update from Alliance Defending Freedom,” she said during the public comment period. “They are not a hate group. I’m encouraged to see this on the consent agenda.”

In response to the school board’s decision, Equality Virginia, the ACLU of Virginia, the Hanover County NAACP, He She Ze and We, and Side by Side Virginia have joined together to host a community meeting “to give background about what is happening in Hanover schools and provide support to students and families who wish to organize and take action against this decision.” The virtual meeting will be held at 6 p.m. today, March 16 on Zoom. RSVP online at bit.ly/HanoverCM.

In a related matter, the board approved a resolution recognizing March as Equity in Education Month by a unanimous vote.

Thurston urged board members not to adopt that proposed resolution recognizing March as the Virginia School Boards Association’s Equity in Education Month.

She urged the board to delay a decision on that resolution until they could research a 19-page report from the state’s Department of Education.

“I want to explain to you why continuing equity proclamations, committees and policies in Hanover will not find you the results you are looking for,” Thurston said. “Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and allocates exact resources and opportunities necessary to reach equal outcomes. Equal outcomes are never achievable and are a waste of time and effort to attempt.”

“Stop pushing to lower the standards that we hold high here in Hanover in order to be equitable,” she added.

Thurston said programs like No Child Left Behind and similar efforts are “failing an entire generation of students.”

Pat Hunter-Jordan said the proclamation offered encouraging words, but had reserva-

see EQUITY, pg. 25