In recent years, the Montgomery County Public Schools system (MCPS) has made great progress with respect to LGBTQ+ matters. MCPS policy, of course, is set by the Montgomery County Board of Education. Below is the Questionnaire that the Metro DC Chapter of PFLAG sent to all 2024 candidates for the Board of Education. Scroll down for the answers provided by District 2 Br Candidates, in alphabetical order, Brenda M. Diaz, Ricky F. Mui, Rebecca Smondrowski, and Natalie Zimmerman. Candidate Aby Thioye did not submit any responses. (Answers from the At-Large and District 4 candidates may be found here and here.) For those seeking more context, I suggest checking out the links provided in the Questionnaire itself.
NOTE: In the May 14 primary election, the top two vote-getters move on to the general election in November. Voters may vote in all the contests, regardless of where in the County they live.
David S. Fishback, Co-Chair for Maryland Advocacy
Metro DC Chapter of PFLAG
February 10, 2024
Dear XXXXX:
For many years, the Metro DC Chapter of PFLAG has worked cooperatively with MCPS and the Board of Education to foster a positive environment for Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transgender, and Gender Non-Conforming students.
In order to inform our members and supporters of the viewpoints of the candidates running to serve on the Board of Education, we respectfully request that you answer the five brief questions pasted below. In order to provide a context, we include background materials. As a 501(c)(3) organization, we will not be endorsing candidates for office, but we will pass along your answers, and anything else you would like to let us know, to our members and supporters.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
We would appreciate your response no later than March 10, 2024.
Typing in your responses in a Reply email to fishbackpflag@gmail.com
Thank you,
David S. Fishback, Maryland Advocacy Co-Chair
Metro DC PFLAG
cc: Mark Eckstein, Maryland Advocacy Co-Chair, Metro DC PFLAG
1. HEALTH EDUCATION CURRICULUM
Background
The secondary school Family Life and Human Sexuality curriculum provides that with respect to matters of sexual orientation and gender identity, the lessons are not “scripted” (as they were prior to 2014), but rather that “instructional planning resources [are] developed similar to all other content areas, including sample learning tasks, suggested instructional resources, and teacher guidance (e.g., the American Psychological Association’s Answers to Your Questions for a Better Understanding of Sexual Orientation & Homosexuality. This approach 'permits teachers to plan instruction based on the specific needs of their students, as they do in all other content areas.'” See May 14, 2014 Memorandum from the Superintendent at pp. 5-6, adopted by the Board of Education on June 17, 2014.
Question
What is your position on the inclusion of information from mainstream American medical and mental health professional associations in the MCPS health education curriculum?
2. ANTI-DISCRIMINATION
Background
MCPS guidelines and regulations make it very clear that the Board of Education “expects all students and staff to conduct themselves in a manner that demonstrates mutual respect without regard to an individual’s actual or perceived personal characteristics, such as . . . gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, [and] family/parental status.” See, for example, A Student’s Guide to Rights and Responsibilities in Montgomery County Public Schools, Employee Code of Conduct in Montgomery County Public Schools, and MCPS Policy ACA: Nondiscrimination, Equity, and Cultural Proficiency.
With respect to gender identity and expression, MCPS provides specific Guidelines. See Guidelines Regarding Student Gender Identity.
Question
What is your view of MCPS anti-discrimination approach with respect to LGBTQ+ students and employees?
3. SUPPORT FOR LGBTQ+ STUDENTS
Background
On February 4, 2020, the Board of Education’s Committee on Special Populations reviewed its Support for LGBTQ+ Students Update. This review included discussion of MCPS initiatives for support of LGBTQ Students.
One of these initiatives has been inclusion of materials in the elementary level English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum that are inclusive of a wide range of previously-ignored groups, including LGBTQ+ students and their families. Last year, litigants supported by extremely conservative groups like Moms for Liberty challenged in federal court the MCPS decision to not allow opt-outs when such materials are used. In August, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland denied litigants’ request for an injunction to block MCPS’s decision in a 60-page decision. The matter is on appeal in the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals.)
Question
What is your view of the initiatives announced in February 2020 and the recent ELA actions?
4. SCHOOL NAMING
Background
In 2018, the Board of Education decided to name the new Richard Montgomery Cluster Elementary School after Bayard Rustin, a gay African American civil rights activist who was instrumental to organizing the 1963 March of Washington, which became the platform for Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
Question
What is your view of the naming of Bayard Rustin Elementary School?
5. ATTEMPTS TO BAR DISCUSSION OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, OR GENDER EXPRESSION.
Background
In some parts of the country, laws and regulations have been enacted to prohibit public schools from discussing or even mentioning sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. See, for example, What You Need to Know about Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” and “Don’t Say They” Laws, Book Bans, and Other Curricula Restrictions, published in 2023 by the National Education Association, the Florida Education Association, and the American Federation of Teachers; and 'Don't Say Gay' bill would limit discussion of sexuality and gender in Florida schools, reported by National Public Radio in 2022.
In 2022, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg succintly explained the implication of such laws and regulations.
Question
What is your view of these efforts? What do you think of Secretary Buttigieg’s perspective?
6. IF THERE IS ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US, PLEASE DO SO.
CANDIDATE RESPONSES:
What is your position on the inclusion of information from mainstream American medical and mental health professional associations in the MCPS health education curriculum?
Maryland state law provides for parental involvement in sex education and allows parents to review instructional materials related to sex education and to request exemptions for their children from certain portions of the curriculum. It is important that MCPS continues to abide by its policy of "emphasiz[ing] the importance of respect for all individuals, as well as all religious beliefs." In addition, it is important that teachers receive professional development on these differing religious views, and direct students who have questions about the relationship between sexuality and religion to their families. Lines of communication must remain open through emails and phone calls if such an instance occurs. Finally, it is important that MCPS continue to "allow parents to decide whether their children will participate in these units or receive alternative instruction on different health topics, consistent with COMAR § 13A.04.18.01."
2. ANTI-DISCRIMINATION
What is your view of MCPS anti-discrimination approach with respect to LGBTQ+ students and employees?
Teachers should absolutely be supportive of students who are struggling with their gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and family/parental status by providing an environment where the child is welcomed and loved. However, MCPS's policy regarding interscholastic sports needs to be reconsidered. The integrity of women's sports must be protected as the biological reality of the differences between the sexes becomes stark by the time children enter high school and are becoming young adults. Serious physical injury can occur. In addition, in order to preserve and protect the integrity of the family unit, MCPS should share any information with parents if MCPS becomes aware that a student wishes to transition to a gender other than his biological sex. Parents play an essential role in their child's overall health, and we must respect that. Of course, at all times, we will do our best to care for our children who are vulnerable and ensure that we do our best to prevent bullying, threatening, and harassment. As far as MCPS employees are concerned, professionalism is of prime importance. Maintaining neutrality on political and cultural hot topics, attending to our work in professional attire, and keeping our classrooms modestly adorned with educational posters continue to be some of our priorities when ensuring that our children receive a high quality education.
3. SUPPORT FOR LGBTQ+ STUDENTS
What is your view of the initiatives announced in February 2020 and the recent ELA actions?
Maryland state law provides for parental involvement in sex education and allows parents to review instructional materials related to sex education and to request exemptions for their children from certain portions of the curriculum. While MCPS currently removed the opt-out policy at the elementary school level when introducing sex-education related curricula, I believe MCPS should respect the religious freedoms of families as protected by the First Amendment by restoring this policy. This would be consistent with MCPS's Memorandum from the Superintendent at pp. 5-6, adopted by the Board of Education on June 17, 2014.
4. SCHOOL NAMING
What is your view of the naming of Bayard Rustin Elementary School?
The naming of schools reflect the role models we hold high for our students. The March on Washington was a pivotal event in our nation's history in bringing together Americans from all walks of life to push foward the agenda of the Civil Rights Movement. Honoring Bayard Rustin, a man who was instrumental in organizing the March on Washington, demonstrates our resolve as a school system to celebrate everyone's successes in bringing alive the founding ideals of our country.
What is your view of these efforts? What do you think of Secretary Buttigieg’s perspective?
Intentional classroom instruction means delivering lesson plans centered on this content, including instructional materials such as videos, slide decks, books, websites, worksheets, and Socratic discussion, amongst many others. In the interview, Secretary Buttigieg mentioned that a student would be restricted from sharing about his family life with his classroom peers during morning meeting. I believe he was disingenuous when he used that as an example of what this bill aims to do. As a former elementary school Spaninsh teacher at a progressive school in Washington, D.C., I am familiar with the purpose of morning meetings. They are a time for the class to form a unified community. A caring teacher would never prevent their student from excitedly sharing about events their family attended, for example, simply because their parents are gay. Talking about your family in this sort of setting-- where children are expressing love for their family, is very different from intentional instruction delivered by the educator with the goal of teaching students about these specific topics. The law is specific in calling out "intentional... classroom instruction."
We want to make sure that all of our students feel welcome, loved, and supported and that we respect the right of parents to determine when their children are ready to receive instruction around these topics. I like MCPS's original policy of introducing Family Life instruction in the middle school years with the option for parents to pull their children from these lessons according to their religious beliefs. I am also a proponent of limited government as expressed in the concept of federalism and the separation of powers found in our Constitution. Therefore, I agree with our Founding Fathers that each state has the right to design school curriculum according to their values as this is a local and state issue.
1. HEALTH EDUCATION CURRICULUM
What is your position on the inclusion of information from mainstream American medical and mental health professional associations in the MCPS health education curriculum?
Thanks for framing this question. As a Candidate for the MoCo Public School system School Board, my perspective is that the front-line educators need to be in-tune with the subjects and topics they are teaching our children. The school system can ensure this in two ways; either the teacher 1.) brings that experience into the classroom through a professional degree, state certification or a license; or 2.) the teacher gains that experience after they are employed and participates in continuous education (CE) training. This methodology ensures that when teachers provide input into their local curriculum, that the teachers have undergone due academic rigor to develop a substantial comprehension or mastery to answer the various questions that their students will undoubtedly ask.
Forgive me if I am not appropriately informed; I believed the Office of Curriculum and Instructional Programs (OCIP) consolidated the national and state requirements for developing the PreK-12 Curriculums (i.e., English, Math, Science, social studies, Physical Education, etc.,). In turn, teachers would implement these criteria into lesson plans (e.g., by Certified Health Education teachers or other appropriately accredited teachers).
Question #1 framed the issue of whether individual teachers should adjust the lesson plan from the curriculum, as developed. My response would be that one of the core issues MCPS needs to correct is that current curriculums are not meeting the national and state standards established for K-12. Our students do not have consistency between schools and that individual lesson plans would be insufficient to represent an educated region.
2. ANTI-DISCRIMINATION
What is your view of MCPS anti-discrimination approach with respect to LGBTQ+ students and employees?
Consistent with current MCPS Guidelines, each Student has the personal right to their dignity. Students should be able to choose whichever Name, Nickname or pronoun that they identify with. There is no place in MoCo or MCPS for discrimination against students based on race, sex, gender, culture, or religious beliefs. Students, employees, or teachers that promote, advocate, or condone hateful speech, only divide our community. With our diverse population, MCPS must adhere to a standardized policy of mutual respect; where the ground rules are concise, stable and clear. Confusion over policy, intentions, and identity will only lead to confusion and lack of order. It may be extremely helpful to engage the parents or legal guardians, to ensure we are treating our minor children with the due respect.
3. SUPPORT FOR LGBTQ+ STUDENTS
What is your view of the initiatives announced in February 2020 and the recent ELA actions?
The Opt-Out is a symptom of a larger cultural issue affecting the United States. Per this question the scope is focused on ELA. We do not see similar Opt-Out requests in subjects that are objective, such as math, chemistry, world history, etc. I believe that the purpose of MCPS is to provide a world-class education, that will lead our graduates to a future where they are competitive in Montgomery County, the United States and internationally. We have limited time to educate our young minds, so every assigned academic reading at MCPS must be focused on developing skills that necessary to be a productive American Citizen. The County’s Public Library system contains volumes of literature that appeal to a spectrum of reading desires; at MCPS, we must empower our children to strengthen reading skills that will increase their opportunity to pursue higher education or to join the workforce upon graduation.
4. SCHOOL NAMING
What is your view of the naming of Bayard Rustin Elementary School?
The larger MoCo community certainly has a powerful voice in selecting the naming of public buildings, landmarks, and parks. There is power in invoking a name. We must live up to the standards that comes with a name. As in naming military installations or ships, there is undoubtedly a history behind the name. In most, if not all cases, the person who bore the name exhibited great virtue, offered hope when there seemed none, acted courageously, or acted selflessly. Their name should inspire all who hear it to follow their steps, adopt their values, and in some cases honor their sacrifice.
I have also seen where a sizeable donation may lead to a building, wing, or campus dedicated to a person or family. In these cases, it is the charitable act or thought that lends itself to the naming; it is not incorrect to honor these individuals; however, there must be a distinction. If the name Bayard Rustin symbolizes a strong selfless act or if the person’s memory or contribution to academic society is to be honored; then their name should grace an educational institution.
5. ATTEMPTS TO BAR DISCUSSION OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, OR GENDER EXPRESSION.
What is your view of these efforts? What do you think of Secretary Buttigieg’s perspective?
The stakeholders of our schools are our students, our parents or legal guardians, our teachers and administrators, and MoCo citizens who contribute to an increasing tax expense. MCPS is not producing the appropriate academic outcome, where less than 65% of our students per school have attained college readiness. Our students are increasingly distracted by a number of issues, that limit their focus into developing skills that will aid in productive employment after graduation. This same population will compete in the MoCo job market and fins that they have insufficient skills to capture the higher salaried roles, which would undoubtedly require more advanced education. There are plenty of careers that do not require a collegiate education or advanced degrees, such as skilled labor, manufacturing, operational roles, or administrative roles. Some of these professions can be lucrative, but would of course require specific skills or talents, ones that make applicants less competitive if they required additional time to learn as opposed to those that have honed their craft during high school.
While our children are developing mentally, physically, and morally, we should encourage each of them to find their own path; we must provide them the best tools: a strong will, a prepared mind, and a large perspective, so that they can take on even larger challenges than the generations before. That is our ideal state. If we choose to continue on our current trajectory to add disorientation instead of academic adherence, we will eventually have to support and subsidize our future generations. We see a growing perfect storm, A.) where American Citizens do not follow the same academic standards as other international education system, i.e., if we take the International Baccalaureate program as a baseline; B.) The large void of interest in skill labor C.) The accessibility of the American job market to international workers D.) The increasing inflexibility of the American persona hinged on social identity; we are already seeing how the labor market is shifting toward disciplined, regulated, cooperative labor force or eliminating human roles in favor of AI, machinery or financial cuts.
6. IF THERE IS ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US, PLEASE DO SO.
Montgomery County is poised on the precipice of the future. We have thousands of graduates each year that struggle to satisfy the requirements of their grade level, yet they are pushed through the public school system and out into the unforgiving job market. Teachers, MCPS School Board, and the larger community must work cooperatively to limit any distractions to the learning environment. We must treat each student as a human with the due dignity. We must abolish hate speech, unhelpful rhetoric and strengthen discipline, accountability, and encouragement. Our children must succeed for our society as a whole to succeed. Let the parents and non MCPS adults determine what is acceptable in the corporate or “real world”; our public schools are for equal treatment, equitable opportunities, so that each student can focus on becoming the best student they can be; through natural talent or by dedicated effort.
What is your position on the inclusion of information from mainstream American medical and mental health professional associations in the MCPS health education curriculum?
My personal position is that MCPS has not gone far enough in adding information from medical and mental health professional associations. While teachers are afforded the ability to choose to include information about sexual orientation and gender, they are afforded the same opportunity to choose information that aligns only with their own personal beliefs about sexuality and gender identity or for the educator to choose information based on fear of retaliation from their administration and/or parents/guardians of their students. I appreciate the opening of the door for teachers to meet the needs of their class, and I am a proponent of this across subjects and grade-levels, but for some educators, the door must be forced open. Diversity in the classroom is a fact, inclusion is an act. Teachers must act to include all of their students to the best of their ability with all of their instructional choices. Beyond this, educators are not always aware of every student’s identities, and nor should they be asking or inferring. Information about different sexual orientations and gender identities should be given to all students. A student should never be forced to come out in order to gain access to education. Should the Board get the ability to update the seventeen-year-old curriculum beyond 2 lessons in a few grade-levels, there must be inclusion for all of our students. Educators must present information to all students regardless of what the educator believes to know about them or infers about them as this will only lead to outing students and undereducation.
2. ANTI-DISCRIMINATION
What is your view of MCPS anti-discrimination approach with respect to LGBTQ+ students and employees?
I appreciate MCPS’s approach by making a special inclusion for LGBTQ+ students. While I am a member of the community, I can only speak from my experiences from my own identities, so I cannot pretend to know the specific needs and struggles that someone with a different identity can and will face on a daily basis. My plan from here is to listen intently and with compassion to students and staff who can and may face challenges with these guidelines. While the policies were drafted in good faith and not to have unintended negative consequences, there is always the need for updating and upgrading the policies based on the ever-evolving needs of students and staff in the future. I would be proud to support these updates.
3. SUPPORT FOR LGBTQ+ STUDENTS
What is your view of the initiatives announced in February 2020 and the recent ELA actions?
I fully support the use of inclusive texts in classrooms and for texts to truly be inclusive, then all students must hear the texts and interact with them. MCPS should not allow opt-outs of this material. Should a family wish to provide additional education to their child about LGBTQ+ topics, I encourage them to do so at home or with their religious organization. The content from the aforementioned religious organizations should not be entering the classrooms at public schools. As students grow and mature, they will interact with other people who may be different from themselves. Our hope as a public school system is to prepare students well for all facets of their futures and educate students on different family structures, gender expressions, gender identities, and sexualities. Relatedly, students deserve unbiased access to this information in order to understand themselves and others better.
4. SCHOOL NAMING
What is your view of the naming of Bayard Rustin Elementary School?
I am in full support of the naming of Bayard Rustin Elementary School. I would be proud to support naming schools after other LGBTQ community members, such as Alan Turing, Frida Kahlo, and Audre Lorde.
5. ATTEMPTS TO BAR DISCUSSION OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, OR GENDER EXPRESSION.
What is your view of these efforts? What do you think of Secretary Buttigieg’s perspective?
I find these laws and regulations to be absurd and abhorrent. It is obvious that supporters of the aforementioned regulations have never been in a classroom as they do not understand that these subjects can come up organically without teachers presenting a specific lesson. If any regulations similar to these would present themselves to the Board, including easier ways to enact bans on books, I would be vehemently opposed. Secretary Buttigieg is absolutely correct that these bans are dangerous. Families should be supported by public schools no matter how they identify or what their family structure looks like. Students should feel supported and included by their educators in all facets.
6. IF THERE IS ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US, PLEASE DO SO.
I commit to supporting LGBTQ students and staff in any way that I can from the position of Board of Education member through program funding, enacting policies, and listening to concerns with compassion and care.
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