Candidates for JC School Board addressed policy on transgender athlete participation and political messages in schools in another round of reader- submitted questions.
Four candidates are seeking two seats on the Jefferson City Board of Education; the election is April 5.
Q: As a board member, would you support or oppose a policy that allows transgender girls to play on girls' athletic teams and use girls' facilities or transgender boys to play on boys' teams and use boys' facilities?
Anne Bloemke-Warren
A: To date, this issue has not been raised at JCPSD. If/when the issue is raised by a trans student athlete, I am happy to address it with that student. Until such time, this is a manufactured non-local controversy that serves only to drive a wedge in the Jefferson City community. I am far more interested in dealing with the issues of today in Jefferson City than hypothetical issues of the future. At present, we have pressing issues of teacher burnout, facility and budget issues, and community disengagement due to a prolonged and stressful boundary line adjustment. This issue can wait.
Adam Gresham
A: Unequivocally oppose. I believe there are two sexes, evidenced at birth without requirement of a biology degree: male and female. These are not fluid or open to ongoing interpretation. Males should not compete against females in female sports, nor should they use female facilities.
Marc Ellinger
A: Girls' sports offer immense value to the growth and development of girls into young women and should be fostered. A child's sex is determined at birth, and we should ensure boys and girls have athletic opportunities. Any policy that reduces the opportunity for girls to participate, should be opposed. Sensitive facilities are the same; boys should not use girls' restrooms or locker-rooms and vice-versa. If there are students that request special needs, adjustments can be made on a case-by-case basis, providing those adjustments do not harm the boys and girls at school.
Erika Leonard
A: I believe girls should play on girls' teams and boys on boys' teams. And that should be our policy. The Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) has its own policies on these issues, and I want our teams in full compliance. JC Schools sports are very important, and I don't want any child to miss the chance for a championship because we aren't in compliance with MSHSAA rules. Eligibility for conference sports is determined by our membership to MSHSAA. I believe in this process which provides for member input.
Q: Is it appropriate for publicly funded school buildings to have political messages displayed in them, such as Black Lives Matter? If yes, do you also support allowing messages and displays from students that support other groups, such as Missouri Right to Life, the Vitae Foundation, the NRA or Blue Lives Matter and the Fraternal Order of Police during National Police Week?
Anne Bloemke-Warren
A: I don't have an issue with any of the listed organizations having messages displayed in the schools. I encourage students to be involved and active in their communities, and to find the causes about which they feel strongly.
I also feel like it is a great opportunity to teach students what it means to respectfully disagree. In life, you won't agree with everything you encounter, but you will have to learn how to work and engage with the people who may hold those beliefs. Our children need to learn better than we have how to respect each other's different values.
Adam Gresham
A: I believe every school building should fly two flags: the flag of the United States and the flag of the state of Missouri. These flags demonstrate to students that they are Americans first and Missourians second. These should be prominent and flown with pride. Banners displaying the school logo or mascot should also be prevalent to emphasize membership in a student body. Political statements outside these displays are unnecessary and do not contribute to a learning environment.
Marc Ellinger
A: Schools should not engage in political advocacy on any side. Teachers and administrators should not advocate for any social or political movement in the classroom. The purpose of schools is educate our most valuable resource: our children. Many issues should be discussed in school and current events are important; but school sponsored advocacy is not acceptable.
Erika Leonard
A: I support the current policy -- political messages are not appropriate unless they are part of a specific approved lesson. Political messages may have a place and time among our schools in a historical context of learning, but specific branding and affiliations should remain personal choices students are allowed to make outside of the school environment.
See more election news at newstribune.com/election/.