Joseph Mendola, my Kearsarge Regional School District representative, apparently felt it was his duty to warn all parents of the perils surrounding the transgender policy for student restrooms (Monitor Forum, Aug. 6).
His argument is based upon “the rights of the majority should not usurp the rights of the minority.” And yet, transgender issues are basically human rights issues. Do not make this into more than it is.
We have had homosexual students (a minority) in our schools for ages and the sky has not yet fallen. Please stop creating fear where it does not belong. I truly believe that our students are far more tolerant of one another’s sexual orientation in today’s world than many adults seem to be.
Mendola, an elected school board member, perhaps needs to review our school district’s mission statement that simply states the school will “provide an equitable and challenging educational opportunity for each learner in a district that is safe, healthy, caring, respectful and supportive.”
If a student doesn’t feel safe, it is far more likely to be a transgender individual, not the ones that Mendola seems to be worried about. And, of course, we all need to be caring, respectful and supportive of one another, both in school and out of school.
As a member of the school board, it also might be time for Mendola to re-read his school board’s six goals, as found on the Kearsarge Regional School District’s website; none of the six goals has anything whatsoever to do with this topic.
SARA McNEIL
Warner