By Brian Park
Dr. Stan Wasbin, a Capistrano Unified School District parent, asked the board of trustees Monday, January 7, what their stance was regarding the Fair, Accurate, Inclusive and Respectful Education Act, a 2011 state law that requires public schools to incorporate gay and lesbian history into their social studies curriculums.
“My anger is directed at our state legislators who created and passed this law and not at all to anyone who classifies themselves as LGBT,” Wasbin said.
Superintendent Joseph Farley and trustee Jim Reardon both pointed out that the law is vague as to how it is to be implemented and that the responsibility seems to fall to local districts.
Several members of the advocacy group, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, spoke in support of the bill, which they said would serve to increase tolerance.
The district’s next regular textbook adoption cycle will take place in 2016, said Julie Hatchel, assistant superintendent of education services. Defying the law and choosing not to adopt state-approved textbooks could jeopardize the district’s textbook funding stream, according to Hatchel.
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