FRESNO (KMJ) — Fresno Unified School Board President Brooke Ashjian is now asking his colleagues behind the dais for civility, following an evening which showed an apparent split between members.
In a statement sent Thursday morning, he both expressed his gratitude to the community, and chastised those behind the dais.
“I wish to thank each community member who attended last night’s board meeting. The candor and, more importantly, civility while addressing their elected representatives set a terrific example for each and every Fresno Unified student. I only wish such civility were reflected by my colleagues, especially with the eyes of the next Superintendent watching our Board’s every move.”
The aforementioned board meeting included a section for “unscheduled oral communication,” which included many comments from members of the public who wished to speak out against words published in the Fresno Bee appearing to depict Ashjian’s concern that teaching LGBT issues as part of sex education would lead to a child being swayed towards a particular sexuality.
In a conversation with KMJ’s “Broeske and Musson” on Tuesday, Brooke Ashjian stated that the words were taken out of context.
“Ashjian says that teachers shouldn’t be teaching about LGBT because they will influence people to turn gay. I mean, come on, really?
“Let me just tell you, John and Christina, listen. If our teachers were that good our numbers wouldn’t look so bad.
“The reality is, that’s not what I said…what I said was is that ‘where are the parents. Where are the parents?’ I believe that sex ed should be first and foremost be taught by parents.”
The issue came to a head during Fresno Unified’s Board of Education meeting Wednesday evening. Numerous community members made it clear to Ashjian that they objected to his original statement.
“30 years ago I was teacher in Fresno Unified and in those days we sixth grade teachers taught sex ed,” Pamela Beck told the assembled board in front of her, and the crowd behind her.
“The curriculum was abstract, bare bones, and entirely organized around heterosexuality. Being gay or anything other than heterosexual was never mentioned by adults. Among students it was an excuse for bullying.
“One of my students, four years later, hanged himself at his parents’ house. The word on the street was that he had been in agony over his sexuality. I don’t think that many of us want to perpetuate that era.”
As public comments wrapped up, the Board’s Valerie Davis spoke to the crowd.
“I’d like to make a comment for our community at this time. I want to thank everyone that came today and I would like to apologize if they feel marginalized and offended by recent publicized remarks.”
Her words were spoken over by Brooke Ashjian, requiring Interim Superintendent Bob Nelson to step in and bring calm to the situation.
The next decision faced by the Board of Education is to interview prospective candidates for superintendent (click here to read more).
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
