Teach respect, kindness without political spin

To the editor:

My wife and I attended the recent Mount Vernon school board meeting. She's an alumnus of the district and we recently returned to the area.

While we don't yet have school-aged kids, we have family and friends with kids at Washington Elementary who are concerned about the content of the guidance curriculum as well as the secrecy of the administration regarding the whole issue. The pro-curriculum crowd outnumbered their opposition 3:1. It immediately became clear that you were either for them or against them.

The LGBT community seems to believe they have the corner on the love and respect market. We heard how if we do not want the school teaching 5-9-year-olds about transgender and non-conforming gender roles we were ignorant and bullies, as if anyone believes it's OK to treat others poorly. We were told it is intolerant and close-minded to believe that a person's biology determines one's male/femaleness, and such a view is incompatible with being loving and respectful.

Society, especially at Mount Vernon, is trying to drive a wedge between the LGBT community and someone who may believe in more of a traditional lifestyle by pushing this ultraprogressive agenda. And the district's utter lack of accountability and transparency points to a clear agenda. Kids take teachers at their word. It's time for parents and community members to fight for all of our kids' little hearts and minds and demand the district take a stand on something less controversial that is going to unify instead of divide.

Dan and Bri Best

Lisbon