USSN: In the News

To many who attended last night’s meeting of the Novato Unified School District, it is what the civil rights movement was to a previous generation.

To others, it has all been part of some vast, ongoing homosexual agenda whose aim is to steal away the hearts and minds of the next.

Somewhere in the middle, you could find those who insist it has been neither, but merely the defense of a basic right of parents: the right to raise their children as they see fit.

Novato’s school board Tuesday voted to adopt six supplemental diversity materials as recommended by Assistant Superintendent Jan La Torre-Derby, to be introduced in the coming school year.

Five of the materials were adopted with a 6-1 vote, with Jeff McAlpin dissenting on “World of Difference,” a program he characterized as “un-American.” The vote was 4-3 in favor of the controversial documentary, “That’s A Family!” — with Trustees McAlpin, Leslie Schwarze and Cindi Clinton casting the dissenting votes — exactly the same vote as one year ago.

For the last 24 months, the debate over the six supplemental diversity materials already adopted on a pilot basis last August — curriculum that is designed to promote tolerance, diversity and safety in the schools — has divided this patchwork quilt of a town.

Neighbor has set upon neighbor. Incidents of name-calling have been reported — over the issue of name-calling. Even trustees are regarded by some with distrust.
According to one school official, private bickering among certain members of the board has gone from bad to worse. What began as mere philosophical differences gradually turned into naked contempt. In one case, there was even a thinly-veiled threat.

Considering that Tuesday’s meeting promised to be the crossing of a significant finish line, turnout out was low. Many left before the final vote. The emotional climate was despondent rather than angry. The same voices weighed in with familiar speeches. There was a weary quality to the debate.

At the heart of last night's debate was the now-familiar controversy over “That's A Family!” — a 35-minute video that depicts a wide variety of family systems, including a brief segment on same-sex parenting. Although originally recommended for grades 4-8 by the NUSD's own Diversity Advisory Committee in 2001, Derby’s final recommendation to the board was to restate its more recent position, taken last December, to include the video in 5th grade Family Life curriculum only.

That, and an “opt-in” vs. “opt-out” permission slip conundrum — a confusing legal distinction that amounted to nothing more than a note from Mom, was all but abandoned, with only “That’s A Family!” requiring signed permission from parents.

La Torre-Derby, who will replace John Bernard as superindendent on July 1, took center stage last night, bringing several teacher representatives who had been selected to pilot these materials last August, so they could present their findings to the board. Board-adopted programs were implemented on a trial basis in order to test the waters at several district schools from January until May, with specific training, monitoring , outside supervision, and a formal feedback mechanism — which kicked into gear last night.

“This has been a very long process of identifying what the teachers and parents support as far as materials to highlight the uniquenesses and the diversity within Novato,” said Bernard.

“Many people do not understand that the law has changed,” Bernard said. “The ed code must now match the penal code as far as protected groups, one being gender and one being sexual orientation. And now that the ed code matches the penal code, the district has a responsibility within the next two and a half years to make sure teachers and students understand that certain kinds of behaviors will no longer be accepted or tolerated. They are against the law,” he said.

But it is the law, and makers of laws, that are in question, says Kathleen Westenberg of Novato, an outspoken critic of diversity curriculum and a member of the First Educators’ Alliance, one of several grass-roots citizen and parent groups that have sprung up on both sides of the divide.

“We have a state legislature that is bent on indoctrinating our children on social and poli ical issues in our schools,” said Westenberg. “They are engaged in the promotion of an obvious homosexual agenda, which seeks to lower the age of consent and capture the hearts and minds of our children,” she said.

“Fascism started this way. Homosexuals got into youth programs and schools and into the hearts and minds — and bodies — of the little German children. They can’t do it with this generation, so they’re trying to do it with the next generation. If you capture the schools, you see, you capture the minds of the children,” she said.

What really angers her, said Westenburg, is when the school district tells her she has no right to her opinion. “Full inclusion and acceptance is the only option you have,” she complained. She also finds it ironic, she said, that most of these proponents of tolerance, “have no tolerance for anyone with an opposing view.”

“She's right,” said Dan Levine, father of Novato High School graduate Jed Levine, an outspoken leader of his former school’s Gay-Straight Alliance. The younger Levine was himself the victim of a hate crime before leaving Novato last year. He is now attending UCLA.

“I have no tolerance for those whose views can only be defined in terms of hatred, prejudice and discrimination,” said Jed’s father. “Legally, socially and ethically, these views have no place in a free society,” he said.

“Any reasonable person knows that no intelligent human being can discriminate on the basis of race or gender. And yet these same people who believe as I do somehow find some justification to discriminate against gays and lesbians. I'll never understand it. It's the same issue to me. If you support the rights of all individuals, that means everyone,” he said.

“I am not in conflict over this issue — I know what the truth is. The issue itself doesn't anger me, really.”

The only time the depth of his emotions are stirred, says Levine, “is when my son is attacked,” or otherwise diminished by casual bigotry. “My son is so extraordinary in so many ways. His sexual orientation does not define him. It is only one part of him. What it comes down to is his character. One of the things that enflames me,” he said, “is to see my son defined by others based on his sexual orientation, as opposed to his character. It is demeaning to him, and demeaning to those who would limit themselves to that kind of characterization."

The issues are equally clear to school board trustee Jeff McAlpin, but for very different reasons. McAlpin is an outspoken critic of much of the proposed diversity curriculum, particularly the “That's A Family!” video, which he describes as espousing a “politically correct” position which he finds “absolutely inappropriate” for 5th graders in our school system.

“I think this particular issue is an issue of behavior and choice, best left to individual families to decide. I think we can find better material that can teach students issues of safety and respect,” he said. “The proposed curriculum that is being espoused is to ensure respect and safety for all students. The district has, in fact, adopted a safe schools program which we believe is designed to do just that. I think ‘That’s A Family!’ will do nothing to ensure safety.”

Asked what he would say to a parent like Levine, who sees parallels in the experience of his son to discrimination by race or gender, McAlpin said: “I do not look at this at all as an issue similar to race or gender,” McAlpin said. “I see this particular issue as an issue of personal choice.

“Race and gender,” he added, “are not.”


	School Board OKs Diversity Classes Trustees split 4-3 on “That’s a Family” June 4, 2003 Novato Advance By Mark Langton/Staff Writer The Controversy at a Glance “That’s a Family” is a 35-minute video that depicts a variety of family arrangements. It includes a brief segment about same-sex parenting. Novato schools used the video in a pilot program for fifth graders this year. Student Participation: Of the 606 fifth graders in Novato’s public schools, 87.5 percent opted in to the “That’s a Family” program. What Students Say: Student comments about “That’s a Family” included: “I learned about different types of families,” “I realized some people are made fun of because of their families and that is not right,” and “I would have the bullies who are bothering others watch the film.” What Critics Say: “That’s a Family’s” message is inconsistent with abstinence outside marriage, is disrespectful of parents’ roles, contains racial stereotypes, raises issues unsuitable for classrooms and is not age appropriate. What Teachers Think: The 25 Novato teachers involved in the pilot program unanimously recommended the district adopt “That’s a Family.” What It’ll Cost: There’s no additional cost. The videos were purchased for the pilot program, and training was provided at no cost. What School District Staff Recommends: Adopting “That’s a Family” for Grade 5 only, and obtaining positive parental permission before students are shown the video. To many who attended last night’s meeting of the Novato Unified School District, it is what the civil rights movement was to a previous generation. To others, it has all been part of some vast, ongoing homosexual agenda whose aim is to steal away the hearts and minds of the next. Somewhere in the middle, you could find those who insist it has been neither, but merely the defense of a basic right of parents: the right to raise their children as they see fit. Novato’s school board Tuesday voted to adopt six supplemental diversity materials as recommended by Assistant Superintendent Jan La Torre-Derby, to be introduced in the coming school year. Five of the materials were adopted with a 6-1 vote, with Jeff McAlpin dissenting on “World of Difference,” a program he characterized as “un-American.” The vote was 4-3 in favor of the controversial documentary, “That’s A Family!” — with Trustees McAlpin, Leslie Schwarze and Cindi Clinton casting the dissenting votes — exactly the same vote as one year ago. For the last 24 months, the debate over the six supplemental diversity materials already adopted on a pilot basis last August — curriculum that is designed to promote tolerance, diversity and safety in the schools — has divided this patchwork quilt of a town. Neighbor has set upon neighbor. Incidents of name-calling have been reported — over the issue of name-calling. Even trustees are regarded by some with distrust. According to one school official, private bickering among certain members of the board has gone from bad to worse. What began as mere philosophical differences gradually turned into naked contempt. In one case, there was even a thinly-veiled threat. Considering that Tuesday’s meeting promised to be the crossing of a significant finish line, turnout out was low. Many left before the final vote. The emotional climate was despondent rather than angry. The same voices weighed in with familiar speeches. There was a weary quality to the debate. At the heart of last night's debate was the now-familiar controversy over “That's A Family!” — a 35-minute video that depicts a wide variety of family systems, including a brief segment on same-sex parenting. Although originally recommended for grades 4-8 by the NUSD's own Diversity Advisory Committee in 2001, Derby’s final recommendation to the board was to restate its more recent position, taken last December, to include the video in 5th grade Family Life curriculum only. That, and an “opt-in” vs. “opt-out” permission slip conundrum — a confusing legal distinction that amounted to nothing more than a note from Mom, was all but abandoned, with only “That’s A Family!” requiring signed permission from parents. La Torre-Derby, who will replace John Bernard as superindendent on July 1, took center stage last night, bringing several teacher representatives who had been selected to pilot these materials last August, so they could present their findings to the board. Board-adopted programs were implemented on a trial basis in order to test the waters at several district schools from January until May, with specific training, monitoring , outside supervision, and a formal feedback mechanism — which kicked into gear last night. “This has been a very long process of identifying what the teachers and parents support as far as materials to highlight the uniquenesses and the diversity within Novato,” said Bernard. “Many people do not understand that the law has changed,” Bernard said. “The ed code must now match the penal code as far as protected groups, one being gender and one being sexual orientation. And now that the ed code matches the penal code, the district has a responsibility within the next two and a half years to make sure teachers and students understand that certain kinds of behaviors will no longer be accepted or tolerated. They are against the law,” he said. But it is the law, and makers of laws, that are in question, says Kathleen Westenberg of Novato, an outspoken critic of diversity curriculum and a member of the First Educators’ Alliance, one of several grass-roots citizen and parent groups that have sprung up on both sides of the divide. “We have a state legislature that is bent on indoctrinating our children on social and poli ical issues in our schools,” said Westenberg. “They are engaged in the promotion of an obvious homosexual agenda, which seeks to lower the age of consent and capture the hearts and minds of our children,” she said. “Fascism started this way. Homosexuals got into youth programs and schools and into the hearts and minds — and bodies — of the little German children. They can’t do it with this generation, so they’re trying to do it with the next generation. If you capture the schools, you see, you capture the minds of the children,” she said. What really angers her, said Westenburg, is when the school district tells her she has no right to her opinion. “Full inclusion and acceptance is the only option you have,” she complained. She also finds it ironic, she said, that most of these proponents of tolerance, “have no tolerance for anyone with an opposing view.” “She's right,” said Dan Levine, father of Novato High School graduate Jed Levine, an outspoken leader of his former school’s Gay-Straight Alliance. The younger Levine was himself the victim of a hate crime before leaving Novato last year. He is now attending UCLA. “I have no tolerance for those whose views can only be defined in terms of hatred, prejudice and discrimination,” said Jed’s father. “Legally, socially and ethically, these views have no place in a free society,” he said. “Any reasonable person knows that no intelligent human being can discriminate on the basis of race or gender. And yet these same people who believe as I do somehow find some justification to discriminate against gays and lesbians. I'll never understand it. It's the same issue to me. If you support the rights of all individuals, that means everyone,” he said. “I am not in conflict over this issue — I know what the truth is. The issue itself doesn't anger me, really.” The only time the depth of his emotions are stirred, says Levine, “is when my son is attacked,” or otherwise diminished by casual bigotry. “My son is so extraordinary in so many ways. His sexual orientation does not define him. It is only one part of him. What it comes down to is his character. One of the things that enflames me,” he said, “is to see my son defined by others based on his sexual orientation, as opposed to his character. It is demeaning to him, and demeaning to those who would limit themselves to that kind of characterization." The issues are equally clear to school board trustee Jeff McAlpin, but for very different reasons. McAlpin is an outspoken critic of much of the proposed diversity curriculum, particularly the “That's A Family!” video, which he describes as espousing a “politically correct” position which he finds “absolutely inappropriate” for 5th graders in our school system. “I think this particular issue is an issue of behavior and choice, best left to individual families to decide. I think we can find better material that can teach students issues of safety and respect,” he said. “The proposed curriculum that is being espoused is to ensure respect and safety for all students. The district has, in fact, adopted a safe schools program which we believe is designed to do just that. I think ‘That’s A Family!’ will do nothing to ensure safety.” Asked what he would say to a parent like Levine, who sees parallels in the experience of his son to discrimination by race or gender, McAlpin said: “I do not look at this at all as an issue similar to race or gender,” McAlpin said. “I see this particular issue as an issue of personal choice. “Race and gender,” he added, “are not.”
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