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School board
to vote on gay
harassment
rule Thursday

The controversial rules would
ban harassment based on, among
other things, sexual orientation

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By Crystal Kua
Star-Bulletin

A politically charged vote on a controversial set of anti-harassment rules is now officially on the Board of Education meeting agenda for Thursday, just days before the Nov. 7 General Election.

The rules will be taken up at the board's regularly scheduled meeting on Kauai.

The proposed changes would prohibit harassment against students based on race and other classifications, including "sexual orientation."

Those in favor of the change said the sexual orientation language is needed to protect gay and lesbian students who are frequent targets of harassment by other students and by school staff.

Opponents said the board shouldn't single out gays and lesbians for special protection and the board should enforce rules already in place to protect all students against harassment.

State attorneys have expressed concern that the state could be liable if schools don't take action against harassment and if the board doesn't have a clear policy stating that sexual harassment will not be tolerated.

The vote is seen as particularly sensitive for board members seeking re-election this year, including board Chairman Mitsugi Nakashima. The meeting is being held on his home island.

The board meeting begins at 3:30 p.m. at Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School cafeteria in Lihue.

Because the board is expecting a large turnout, the time for testimony has been moved up to 4:30 p.m. The board normally takes testimony on agenda items at 6:30 p.m. Testimony will be limited to one minute.