School Board candidates debate issues

The magnificent seven Monroe County Community School Corporation school board candidates lined up for face time with about 40 campus community members Wednesday night in the Fellowship Hall at the Unitarian-Universalist Church, to discuss his or her personality, preferences and platform. \nThe forum, titled "Decision 2004: What's at stake in the upcoming elections?" was sponsored by Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. The session was preceded by a brief discussion of current gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered issues recognized as significant topics of legislative debate. The topic of same-sex marriage seemed especially troublesome to the speaker, an advocate from Indiana Equality, who described the topic as a "wedge issue."\nPFLAG co-director Lee Formwalt said campus community members wanted to address some of the GLBT issues with their soon-to-be chosen public school spokespeople. \n"I was delighted to see the MCCSC school board candidates here," Formwalt said. "We know how national politicians feel about certain GLBT issues such as same-sex marriages. We wanted to know how people stood on the local level."\nEach MCCSC school board candidate was given time to reach out to prospective voters through any dialogue or direction of conversation she or he desired. All the candidates highlighted their civic and social philanthropy efforts, in addition to personal biographies and "wish lists" if elected. \nThe only school board candidate not present was Lindsay Boyd, who is scheduled to meet face-to-face with a judge today in a court hearing to determine his candidate eligibility. Boyd claims two legal residences in two separate districts -- state law requires candidates to reside in the district they currently live.\nDistrict 6 candidate Lois Sabo-Skelton, an IU graduate and former professional violinist, said her priority is the children and that every child counts.\n"Please vote for me in district 6, where I live," Sabo-Skelton said.\nFormwalt said anti-discrimination is the "big thing" PFLAG is interested in, especially public policies aimed at curbing anti-gay bullying and harassment for public school children in public schools.\n"It would be good to have teachers and administrators trained in how to deal with harassment due to sexual orientation," Formwalt said. "One of the things PFLAG is about is people coming to terms with their sexuality. The 'Q' on the end of GLBT nowadays recognizes students who are questioning their sexuality. We want to provide an environment for people to feel comfortable questioning their sexuality."\nSue Wanzer, incumbent MCCSC school board president who is running against Michael Allen Brewington in District 2, said her hope, if reelected, is to bring families and students together in front of the board.\n"I would like to see GLBT students and families discuss their concerns with the board and the community, even those who disagree, in the hope of dispelling the myths," Wanzer said. "Everything about MCCSC (anti-discrimination) policy is implicit. I know we practice it; I want to see it in writing."\nCurrently, MCCSC does not have a student bill of rights or explicit written language addressing student, faculty and administration discrimination and harassment because of sexual orientation, martial status or sexual preference.\nCampus community member questions to the candidates ranged from platform issues to budgetary priorities, from the fractured nature of recent board meetings to current MCCSC policy.\nWanzer said she feels she has an advantage in her district because she does not have any children in the MCCSC. \n"Since I don't have any kids, I feel like I can have a broader view," Wanzer said. "I can take into account all aspects of education. Students must remember that learning is a part of their responsibility not just in the classroom -- outside the classroom as well."\nFormwalt said sensitivity training is needed amongst the young people today in reference to GLBT issues and policies. \n"Even when young kids say that something is gay, they don't mean it in a positive way," Formwalt said. "Teachers need to address these prejudiced feelings instead of just ignoring them. How many young people grow up worrying about whether or not crossing their legs is masculine? I think a good teacher knows what's going on in their classroom even though it isn't happening right in front of their eyes." \n-- Contact staff writer David A. Nosko at dnosko@indiana.edu.