The monthly meeting of Tabernacle’s board of education on Jan. 19 got heated when members discussed potential implementation of an anonymous reporting app and incorporation of state mandated LGBTQ+ curriculum.
Kenneth R. Olson Middle School Assistant Principal Casey McKeen gave the board a second presentation on the app STOPit, which would allow students to anonymously report incidents of harassment, intimidation and bullying, and welfare concerns.
McKeen presented comments from four school districts that have used the app. All four reported that upon first implementation, officials received “a flurry of false reports,” but ultimately decided the app was beneficial because it gave students the ability to alert school officials when they felt unsafe.
But board member Brian Lepsis said his original concerns with the app still stood.
“So what if a report comes in and says, ‘Mister so and so touched me in an inappropriate manner.’ How is that vetted?” Lepsis asked. “As we all know today, it’s not about the end result. It’s the accusation. We’re talking about people’s reputations, livelihoods.”
Board member Megan Jones said every report would be properly investigated before being publicly disclosed. But Lepsis maintained that implementation of STOPit would lead to students abusing it.
“We’re making a video game experience out of making potentially very serious accusations against people in anonymous fashion,” he maintained.
School Superintendent Shaun Banin called Lepsis’ description of the app as a “video game” unfair.
“Man, this has been a fun night,” joked Board President Megan Chamberlain.
Members of the public also explained their opinions on the app.
“No one has really talked about where that data goes or how long that data is stored for,” said Jim Lepsis, who expressed concerns with the app’s photo and video feature. “We’re talking about pictures and videos of minors. The company can say all at once that it’s private, but we’ve all experienced with other websites that things get out.”
Tabernacle parent Jennifer Tyler said the app’s pros outweigh the cons.
“I think if this is even the smallest way to help the kids, I think it needs to be done,” she noted. “If there’s a tool like this that can be utilized to help the kids, it gives them a way to do it and feel safe.”
The board agreed to schedule a later time for further discussion of concerns with the makers of STOPit.
Also during the meeting, the board voted to hire curriculum writers to fulfill a state statute that requires districts to teach LGBT history in sixth, seventh and eighth grades. But one parent, Erica Vining, told the board she had “serious concerns” with the new curriculum.
“Now, this is not only just in health class,” she argued. “Now in all classes, so this is being hit by every angle, and with families that may not want their children to be taught part of this curriculum.
“There’s going to be concern that something is taught to them without my knowledge that might not be in the core tenets of my faith.”
Vining asked whether the board provides options for parents to opt out of the LGBT curriculum.
“Just to be very clear, the statute on the implementation of people with disabilities and the LGBT persons state that we shall have instruction on the political, economic and social contributions of persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered people,” Jones explained. “It’s the same thing that we’ve seen before with people of color, including women.”
The board of education’s next meeting will take place virtually on Feb. 16 at 7 p.m.
