News Item

OC School Board Refuses To Follow California Anti-Discrimination Law

March 15, 2004

(Westminster, California) The Westminster School District, in Orange County, is refusing to recognize a state law that bans discrimination on the basis of sexuality even though it could lose millions of dollars in state and federal funding.

State law requires the small school district like all others in California to have a written anti-discrimination policy that includes protections for all LGBT students.

In the first of two meetings to address the situation, the board took up the issue of trans students. Three of five trustees voted not to amend the district's code of conduct. The three said they oppose the state law because they are Christians.

"I might take a lot of heat for it today, but the rewards are going to be great in heaven," said Judy Ahrens, one of the three. Ahrens, Helena Rutkowski and Blossie Marquez-Woodcock were criticized by the remaining two trustees, school administrators and by parents.

"We do not see this as a moral issue," said Trish Montgomery, a spokesperson for the district's superintendent and other administrators. "It is a matter of complying with the law."

Refusing to change the policy could force state and federal agencies to withhold up to $40 million for the district's 17 schools - two-thirds of its budget.

Westminster is the only district in the state that has hesitated to update its anti-discrimination policies, said Gary Page of the state Education Department.

The district meets again on April 1 where the issue of protecting gay and lesbian students will be discussed. The trustees have until April 12 to accept the new laws.