Recall language targeting Williamston school board members approved

WILLIAMSTON - The Ingham County Election Commission has approved new recall language for petitions targeting four sitting members of the Williamston school board: Sarah Belanger, Nancy Deal, Christopher Lewis and President Greg Talberg. 

It's the latest effort by opponents of Williamston Community School's gender identity policy, who have submitted dozens of petitions to the commission since the policy was put in place in November.

Prior language approved 2-1 by the commission in January was later tossed by Washtenaw County Circuit Court Judge Patrick Conlin for not being clear enough. 

The new language states that targeted members voted in favor of Policy 8011 and includes the entire policy on the back of the petition or as an attachment. 

The policy reads, in part, "WCS shall accept the gender identity that each student asserts reflecting the student's legitimately held belief once the student and/or his or her parent/guardian, as appropriate, notifies District administration that the student intends to assert a gender identity that differs from previous representations or records."

MORE: Judge tosses recall language targeting Williamston school board members

Monica Schafer, a Williamston parent, takes issue with that language, saying it doesn't guarantee that parents are informed of their student's behavior while at school. 

"The parents have to be informed, 100 percent," she said after Tuesday's commission meeting.

Talberg countered that another part of the policy covers that, a section that reads, "School officials must consider the health, safety, and well-being of the student, as well as the responsibility to keep parents informed."

"We think our policy is the right thing for the kids and parents of Williamston," Talberg said. 

Both Belanger and Talberg attended Tuesday's meeting. Afterward, they said they supported having the entire policy included in the petition but still had their concerns. 

"We know from seeing it, from being approached to sign something, that it's their right to say whatever to get a signature on their sheet," Belanger said.

Fred Woodhams, a spokesman for the Michigan Secretary of State, said it's the responsibility of the person signing a petition to read and understand it.

Targeted school board members have 10 days to appeal the commission's decision. Signatures can be collected once that window expires, if members opt not to appeal.

If they do appeal, the circuit court has 40 days to decide whether to rule on an appeal. Signatures could be collected after that time if no decision is made or if a judge rules the language is valid, said Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum.

Byrum, Ingham County Treasurer Eric Schertzing and Chief Probate Judge Richard Garcia are the three members of the election commission. 

In order to get on the November ballot, 1,425 valid signatures per petition need to be turned in by August 3.

Last fall, more than 150 people filled the Williamston Middle School for the board's meeting where transgender and gender identity policies were discussed.

Related:

Williamston Community Schools approves transgender policies

What's it like to be transgender in high school? Current, former students weigh in

The board later adopted two new policies, 8011 and 9260. The latter states that any student, regardless of reason, can request an alternative bathroom or locker room space if they feel uncomfortable using a given gender-segregated facility. 

Williamston Community Schools and several board members were named in a lawsuit earlier this year over that decision. The parents who filed the lawsuit claim the policies infringe on their sincerely held religious beliefs. Schafer is a plaintiff in that case. The case is ongoing. 

Read the entire policy in question below:

The Williamston Community Schools fosters an educational environment for all students that is safe, welcoming, and free from stigma and discrimination, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. WCS requires compliance with local, state, and federal laws concerning bullying, harassment, privacy, and discrimination (See Policy 8260 and 8260-R Bullying).

WCS shall accept the gender identity that each student asserts reflecting the student's legitimately held belief once the student and/or his or her parent/guardian, as appropriate, notifies District administration that the student intends to assert a gender identity that differs from previous representations or records. The District will customize support to allow each student's equal access to the District's educational programs and activities.

Parental and family support are key determinants of transgender and nonconforming student health; therefore, student support teams, staff, and community partners should provide resources to help families and students locate information, counseling, and support services. School officials must consider the health, safety, and well-being of the student, as well as the responsibility to keep parents informed.

This policy applies to the entire school community, including educators, school district staff, students, parents, and volunteers.

Contact RJ Wolcott at (517) 377-1026 or rwolcott@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @wolcottr.