Proposed Policies Aired before Anoka-Hennepin School Board

Changes to policies on harassment and "controversial topics" had their first public discussion at an Monday in Coon Rapids.

The "controversial topics" policy () is a revision of a current curriculum policy of neutrality regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender sexuality. .

A portion of northwestern Fridley is in the Anoka-Hennepin School District and is represeneted on the school board by Scott Wenzel. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Wenzel:

... opposes the current sexual orientation policy, and doesn't think the new controversial topics policy is needed. But if there is going to be a new policy, Wenzel said he considers it a good sign that both sides of the debate had something to dislike.

"At some point you have to get to a middle ground to be able to move ahead, and that's what I have a feeling this is," he said.

Neither side in the audience was happy about the proposed changes, according to MinnPost. One district parent quoted in the St. Paul Pioneer Press said dealing with controversial topics "is up to the parents." A board decision on the proposed changes could take longer than the usual month, according to the Star Tribune.

You can watch archived video of the meeting here.