buffalo board of education - dignity for all resolution

7/30/2019 Buffalo Board of Education - Dignity for All Resolution

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BOARDOFEDUCATIONCITYOF BUFFALO,NEWYORK

RESOLUTIONAuthorizing NYS Education LawAmendment A3661/S1987

"Dignity for All Students Act"

Sponsor: RalphR.Hernandez, PresidentWest District RepresentatiyeThe bill A3661/S1987 enacted into law by the NYSLegislature adds article 2 to the EducationLaw entitled "Dignity for All Students." The new law prohibits discrimination and harassmentagainst students in school, including harassment based on real or perceived race, color, weight,national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender(including gender identity and expression, i.e. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender) and sex.WHEREAS,asefforts to reauthorize NewYorkState Education law, the Boardshould seizetheopportunity to strengthen the district's anti-discrimination and harassment school climate byincorporating the Dignity for All Students Act.WHEREAS,A 2008 report by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network found that 65percent of teens reported having been verbally or physically harassed due to their appearance,gender, ethnicity, disability or religion. Nearly 9 out of 10lGBT students (86.2%) experienceharassment atschool because of their sexual orientation, and 60.8% feel unsafe at schoolbecauseof their sexualorientationWHEREAS,the NYSEducation LawAmendment A3661/S1987 or Dignity for All Students Actrequires schools to:

Adopt policies to make schools harassment- and discrimination-free environments; Inform students and parents of anti-discrimination and harassment policies; Developanti-discrimination guidelines to be used in school training programs for

teachers, administrators,and other school employees; Incorporate discrimination and harassment awareness and sensitivity into civility,

citizenship and character education curricula; Designate at least one staff member in eachschool to be trained in non-discriminatory

instructional and counseling methods and handling human relations; Report on incidents of discrimination and bias harassment to NYSED.

THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED:that the Board directs the Superintendent to review districtpolicies and procedures related to non-discrimination, hazing, student associations, and DistrictCode of Conduct for compliance with NYSEducation Laws and recommend revisions needed toensure that policies and procedures include gender identity and expression, students,administrators and staff.


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F UR TH ER B E IT R ES OL V ED : that the Board directs the Superintendent to work with StudentSupport Services, District Parent Council, community-based organizations, and groups toestablish a District Bias ResponseTeammade up of administrators who are available to supportand guide students seeking assistance indetermining how to handle abias incident. Further toassist in creating a cultural sensitivity training program for all counseling, and classified staffmembers that includes sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.


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buffalo board of education - dignity for all resolution

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