The Orange County School Board is moving forward with an inclusive nondiscrimination policy that adds protections for both sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.
Clinton McCracken, an art teacher at Howard Middle School said he got this ball rolling two years ago. On Sept. 20, he urged the Board to include gender identity, as they initially were just going to include sexual orientation. Board member Daryl Flynn made the motion to include both protections, and board member Nancy Robbinson seconded the motion. Procedure requires another public workshop that includes the gender identity/expression language, so that will be set for December, and then the Board will vote on the policy at the next available meeting.
“We are striving to add these protections so that OCPS LGBT employees can do their best work without fear of discrimination,” McCracken said. “Our teachers and support personnel should be able to go to work every day with confidence that they are valued by their employer and that they are protected from discrimination in regards to their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. I want this policy so that our employees can feel comfortable to be their true selves.”
He said the new policy won't just affect employees.
“I believe our students also benefit by teachers and support personnel living an authentic life and by seeing confident and happy LGBT role models,” McCracken said.
The Board is also negotiating adding domestic partner benefits for district staff members.
New Pride event for Volusia County
The Orange County School Board is moving forward with an inclusive nondiscrimination policy that includes protections for both sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.
Clinton McCracken, an art teacher at Howard Middle School said he got this ball rolling two years ago. On Sept. 20, he urged the Board to include gender identity, as they initially were just going to include sexual orientation. Board member Daryl Flynn made the motion to include both protections, and board member Nancy Robbinson seconded the motion. Procedure requires another public workshop that includes the gender identity/expression language, so that will be set for December, and then the Board will vote on the policy at the next available meeting.
“We are striving to add these protections so that OCPS LGBT employees can do their best work without fear of discrimination,” McCracken said. “Our teachers and support personnel should be able to go to work every day with confidence that they are valued by their employer and that they are protected from discrimination in regards to their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. I want this policy so that our employees can feel comfortable to be their true selves.”
He said the new policy won't just affect employees.
“I believe our students also benefit by teachers and support personnel living an authentic life and by seeing confident and happy LGBT role models,” McCracken said.
The Board is also negotiating adding domestic partner benefits for district staff members.
