Posted on Dec 21, 2023
Forest Hills School Board rescinds 'Culture of Kindness' resolution following lawsuit
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After a legal battle that lasted more than a year, the Forest Hills Schools Board of Education voted to rescind its controversial "Culture of Kindness" resolution during a special Thursday morning meeting.
The resolution first passed by the board in June 2022 banned assignments in the district where students would have to consider their race, socioeconomic class, religion, gender identity, or sexuality.
Shortly after the board approved the resolution, a lawsuit was filed in federal court by a group of parents and students who claimed it violated their constitutional rights.
The two parties had settled in early December. In the settlement, Forest Hills agreed to rescind the resolution and issue a $100,000 check through its insurance carrier to the legal counsel representing the group of parents in exchange for a dismissal of the lawsuit.
In a statement released Thursday morning, the Forest Hills School District said the settlement is not an admission of liability or wrongdoing, and the board denies the resolution violated anyone's legal rights. The board claims it decided to resolve the matter to avoid the "unnecessary distraction" and cease the potential burden further ligation would have on taxpayers in the district.
The parents involved in the lawsuit consider the settlement to be a win.
"The board's action today reflects the strength and resolve of our community to stand up for what truly matters in our children's education," Forest Hills parent Antonio Ciolino said. "This is a win for every student who felt unheard and for every teacher who strives to create an open, respectful classroom environment."
Thursday's special meeting was the last school board meeting scheduled for 2023, and will likely be the last one held with Forest Hill's current board members. Jason Simmons and Wendy Strickler-Biderman, who both criticized the "Culture of Kindness" resolution, during their campaigns will join the board in 2024.
The resolution first passed by the board in June 2022 banned assignments in the district where students would have to consider their race, socioeconomic class, religion, gender identity, or sexuality.
Shortly after the board approved the resolution, a lawsuit was filed in federal court by a group of parents and students who claimed it violated their constitutional rights.
The two parties had settled in early December. In the settlement, Forest Hills agreed to rescind the resolution and issue a $100,000 check through its insurance carrier to the legal counsel representing the group of parents in exchange for a dismissal of the lawsuit.
In a statement released Thursday morning, the Forest Hills School District said the settlement is not an admission of liability or wrongdoing, and the board denies the resolution violated anyone's legal rights. The board claims it decided to resolve the matter to avoid the "unnecessary distraction" and cease the potential burden further ligation would have on taxpayers in the district.
The parents involved in the lawsuit consider the settlement to be a win.
"The board's action today reflects the strength and resolve of our community to stand up for what truly matters in our children's education," Forest Hills parent Antonio Ciolino said. "This is a win for every student who felt unheard and for every teacher who strives to create an open, respectful classroom environment."
Thursday's special meeting was the last school board meeting scheduled for 2023, and will likely be the last one held with Forest Hill's current board members. Jason Simmons and Wendy Strickler-Biderman, who both criticized the "Culture of Kindness" resolution, during their campaigns will join the board in 2024.
Forest Hills School Board rescinds 'Culture of Kindness' resolution following lawsuit
Posted from wvxu.org
Posted 2 y ago
Responses: 4
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel Settling a lawsuit in my opinion is the same as admitting guilt. My opinion for what it's worth.
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LTC Trent Klug
SFC John Davis Well said. How long this common ground will last? Until the next post.
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Unlike these radical school boards, When I was in the Army all races were melded into one group. In Nam we all got along with other races, we were equal. I'm not sure how the Army is today with Biden and the democrat/comunist and the woke adgenda screwing everything up. After WW2 imigrants learned the english language and melded in to society. Today they wanted us to learn spanish and force our schools to accept and teach it. That is bullshit The languege of the USA is english and thats all. If you want to live and succeed here, learn our languege, plain and simple.
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