Hello advocates, and thank you for supporting students in Colorado Springs School District 11 (D11). Some D11 Board of Education members have decided to start Pride month off with two proposed anti-LGBTQIA2+ policies. They are attempting to ban the Pride flag in classrooms and to ban trans students from playing on sports teams or using locker rooms in alignment with their gender identity. They are trying to erase trans students and families from their schools, and we cannot let that stand. It isn’t about sports, and it isn’t about flags, it is about weaponizing political power against vulnerable youth.
Pride demands we stand together; let’s support trans students before the parties start.
Logistics
The below meeting details are our best understanding of the policies’ timelines. There is a slim possibility that the votes will occur on June 4th rather than June 11th. We will keep this page updated, so please check back.
To give public comment, you must sign up between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. the day of the meeting (June 4th and/or June 11) The link will go live then, and it will be on this page. Keep in mind you will have 3 minutes to deliver your public comment, so keep it concise.
Meeting details
Address: 1115 N El Paso St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Work Session (Discussion, no public comment)– Wednesday, May 28th, about 6:00 p.m.
Regular Meeting (Introduction, public comment) – Wednesday, June 4th, 5:30 p.m.
Special Meeting (Vote, public comment) – Wednesday, June 11th, 5:30 p.m.
Email details
Emails have no word limit, but brevity and clarity are key. If you are a student, parent, educator, or taxpayer in D11, lead with that so they know they’re hearing from a stakeholder in their community. Send your email to the entire board, addresses below.
Emails for D11
Board President Parth Melpakam – parth.melpakam@d11.org
Vice President Jill Haffley – JILL.HAFFLEY@d11.org
Treasurer Lauren Nelson – lauren.nelson@d11.org
Secretary Jason Jorgenson – jason.jorgenson@d11.org
Director Sandra Banks – sandra.bankes@d11.org
Director Thomas Carrey – Thomas.Carey@d11.org
Director Julie Ott – julie.ott@d11.org
Talking Points for emails and Public Comments
By proposing two policies attacking trans students and the LGBTQIA2+ community, the majority of the D11 Board of Education has demonstrated their commitment to using their office to antagonize marginalized students. There is an ongoing pattern of behavior and policies that target our communities. Their words have consequences. Their actions have consequences. Their policies have consequences.
Those consequences lead to harassment, discrimination, bullying, and harm to students in D11 and to LGBTQIA2+ people across our community. We must let them know how much they are hurting us through our stories, our feelings, and our hearts. It is very likely this policy will pass, but we must be honest and authentic to ourselves and our experiences, something we deserve every day of the year, and even more so during Pride!
- Point out the pattern of hate – let them know we see it.
a. This will be the third time D11 has taken away rights and protections from LGBTQIA2+ students this year. On top of restrictive chosen name policies and walking back equity commitments, they are now choosing to squeeze in two extra doses of hate at the end of the year. Do not let them claim neutrality; make them own their actions.
b. For D11 constituents, these are not the only shortcommings of this Board this year. They have funneled money away to charter schools, let Jenkins become so run down it had to close, and most egregiously ended their union contract with educators. If enough people are mad about enough things, they may have to start taking feedback. - If you would like specific talking points against the sports policy, check out our guide for D49’s similar policy. Many of the same notes apply. For talking points against the flag resolution, we believe restriticting the right to free speech in the district may resonate with some members. If you would like us to review your email or public comment, please reach out to schools@insideoutys.org.
