The district serves roughly 34,000 students. Meetings / Board Meetings Home - Keller Independent School District At most districts, policies allow for accommodations if they are requested. Throughout the meeting, board members argued that students are still protected under the federal Title IX sexual orientation and gender discrimination guidelines. Carroll ISD now joins at least three other districts that have approved polices that require students to use restrooms that align with the gender assigned at birth. People for and against new gender-based policy changes packed the special Keller ISD school board meeting Wednesday night to voice their concerns. The Community College Policy Reference Manual (CCPRM) contains legally referenced policies and exhibits governing the operation of Texas public community college districts. He assumed office for his second term in May 2023. Following more than an hour and a half of public comments Wednesday evening, Keller ISD board members passed proposed policy changes impacting pronoun usage. The Texas Tribune reports that the new Keller ISD policies are based on a model from the Texas Education Agency, and that, ultimately, school board members have the ability to accept or reject any . Some opponents on Wednesday night shared concerns that the policies will enable bullying. Following more than an hour and a half of public comments Wednesday evening, Keller ISD board members passed proposed policy changes impacting pronoun usage. What is Texas doing about property taxes? When it comes to book challenges, the committee will review the book "in its entirety" and then determine whether the book should be removed from circulation. Help wanted: Top targets for the Rangers at the MLB trade deadline, Live: Trial begins for man accused of murder in shooting death of his ex-girlfriend's husband in Dallas. July 25, 2023 / 9:38 AM The Keller ISD Education Foundation welcomes the following Board Members: Aly Layman is a nonprofit professional with more than 20 years of fundraising experience. July 25, 2023 / 9:38 AM / CBS Texas. after a sexually explicit book was discovered in the districts library. Keller ISD school board did not vote or make a decision on the books at question, though each book that is challenged is reviewed by the district's book challenge committee. She first took office in May 2022. El Reporte del Tiempo en Dallas-Fort Worth: Contina el calor peligroso. There is already so much intolerance in school today and thats when its supposedly against the rules. East Quarter is an up-and-coming restaurant district in Dallas, East Quarter neighborhood offers walkable living and work spaces, Bruce Bochys limited options in loss vs. Astros speaks to Rangers bullpen needs, Popular Uptown cocktail bar institutes new dress code, raising customer concerns, Why the Texas Rangers are MLBs best-suited team to trade for Shohei Ohtani, Designs complete for Dallas new $750 million Four Seasons hotel. KELLER As Tarrant County continues moving away from its perch as one of America's reddest urban counties and public schools increasingly serve as battlefields for culture wars, school board. Joni Shaw Smith is currently in the second year of her first term as a Keller ISD Trustee. Im sorry, but if your child is going to commit suicide because of words, please get them the mental health that they need.. If you adopt policies that make them ashamed or afraid how can they flourish?. The language in those policies is nearly identical to ones adopted by Keller ISD and Grapevine-Colleyville ISD. Share. 2023 - Turning Point USA. The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas slammed the proposals ahead of the vote, saying the policies are dangerous for transgender students mental health and flout federal law. Dr. Charles Randklev spoke about the need for transparency from the board, and how the board delayed their response to this issue by three weeks. TexQuest is TSLAC's electronic instructional resources program for public schools. All rights reserved, Carroll ISD board votes to change bathroom, pronoun policies, WATCH LIVE: Trial begins for man accused of driving to DFW to kill HS girlfriend's husband, The 10 U.S. places with the shortest average marriagesTexas is No. (Community Impact staff) Learn more about the candidates running for the Keller ISD board of trustees Place. Trustee Eric Lannen said gender and sexual orientation are already protected under Title IX. Micah Young is currently in the second year of his first term as a Keller ISD Trustee. Policies in the PRM are for reference only and should not be adopted by your board. I dont appreciate you taking my parental rights away by deciding how my child is to be addressed, Rentz said. He took office again in May 2022. Keller ISD adopts bathroom, pronoun policies for trans students. A second challenge is pending review. The DMN Education Lab is a community-funded journalism initiative, with support from Bobby and Lottye Lyle, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, Garrett and Cecilia Boone, The Meadows Foundation, The Murrell Foundation, Solutions Journalism Network, Southern Methodist University, Sydney Smith Hicks and the University of Texas at Dallas. A Dallas native, she attended Richardson High School and graduated from the University of Maryland. However. Trustees also approved a new student handbook and code of conduct for the upcoming school year that no longer contain references transgender and sexual orientation in the written language. Dr. Charles Randklev is currently in the third year of his first term on the KISD Board of Trustees. Members of the Board of Trustees are elected for three-year terms. The challenged books have included "Anne Frank's Diary: The Graphic Adaptation," the Bible and Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eye.". 'Angry' Keller ISD parents have challenged 33 books, including the Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Keller ISD approves pay raises for all employees in 2022-23 - News This is the disclaimer text. 1 talking about this. Meet the Board / Board of Trustees Members - Keller Independent School Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Introduction More than 50 people were signed up to speak at a special board meeting Wednesday before the Keller ISD school board more than a week after a heated meeting on June 20, where there was a majority focus on two policies: requiring students to use restrooms, locker rooms, and other facilities based on the sex they were assigned at birth, and another policy that would mean teachers and other district staff cannot promote or require pronouns for a student or any person that dont match those on their birth certificate. include the discussion of gender fluidity. She previously covered schools and City Hall for The Baltimore Sun. + Expand All Policies . How Are Meetings Conducted? The book titled Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe has gained national attention for being included in schools libraries across the country. They also said the school district's code of conduct prohibits bullying. The district also approved a policy that will not require staff to use preferred pronouns for transgender individuals. The best stories from KERA sent to your inbox. Regular meetings of the KISD Board of Trustees are held monthly in the Education Center, 350 Keller Parkway. KISD Education Foundation is a nonprofit that exists to support the educational opportunities of students in the Keller Independent School District in Keller Texas. Keller Independent School District - School Board Watchlist 1 biggest time waster: It kills so much time', I'm truly sorry,' Timothy Simpkins headed to prison for 2021 Timberview High School shooting. State leaders, including Governor Abbott, have called for an audit of all school library books and the prosecution of those school employees who allow underage students to access them. One policy states people are required to use the bathroom and locker room that corresponds to their gender assigned at birth. Schools can make accommodations for students, including allowing some to go in a single-user restroom. KELLER, Texas After nearly two hours of public feedback, Keller ISD board members passed two controversial gender-based policies. "It bothers me that there are people who feel we are not loving and caring toward our students.. The CBS Texas team is a group of experienced journalists who bring you the content on CBSTexas.com. "They've weakened our statement of nondiscrimination. Keller Independent School District is a school district in Texas . Using pronouns and what bathrooms to go to hasnt been a problem, you want it to be. Location: KISD Education Center 350 Keller Pkwy. Mrs. Walker's current term on the Board will expire in May 2025. Chris Coker is in the first year of his first term as a Keller ISD Trustee. Keller ISD board approves retention payments, extra paid COVID-19 sick Introduction for more information. Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). Additional resources, like regulations or exhibits, may be available or linked at certain codes. Teachers are also not required to use gender-identifying pronouns. Elections / Election Information - Keller Independent School District She attended the meeting and carried a rainbow sign. NBC DFW. Following more than an hour and a half of public comments Wednesday evening, Keller ISD board members passed proposed policy changes impacting pronoun usage. The ACLU previously lodged a complaint with the Keller school board regarding its decision to prohibit across all grade levels library books that include the discussion of gender fluidity. Telephone: (817) 744-1050. ", Another parent told the board that they are "holding you accountable for failing to protect our students and we will be answering this in the upcoming elections. Texas school books: Keller parents challenge 33, including Bible | wfaa.com. This includes the school board members or someone appointed by them, having the power to accept or reject any materials. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Ashley Hine has four children in Keller ISD from middle school to high school. Who Can Attend Board Meetings? Prior to the vote, the board heard from people for and against the policies. Section A through G The board policy manual is divided into sections for each governance topic. Education issues in Texas: TEA commissioner sits down with WFAA. She didn't sign up to speak at the special board meeting, but she attended the meeting to support the others who did speak. Hawes is not only angry about the new policy, but she also believes that the board's timing is purposeful as well.