Agenda 12-06-21; 8-a - Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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4 1 that the plan is in line with what the board has been trying to do for the last 20 years, that the 2 county needs affordable housing, and there will still be green space still available. 3 4 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/Special Presentations 5 6 a. Resolution Supporting Orange County Schools 7 The Board considered adopting a resolution supporting Orange County Schools. 8 9 BACKGROUND: Orange County School's Board of Education meetings and events in 10 September and October were disrupted by protestors displaying hostile and intimidating 11 behavior including racist and homophobic language. In an October 11, 2021 Resolution 12 to Address Harm Caused to Students by Incidents of Hostile and Racist Behavior, Orange 13 County School's staff and students attested to the emotional and psychological harm 14 done by the protestors. 15 16 As stated in Section 12-3 of the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance, the policy of 17 Orange County is to promote the equal treatment of all individuals; to prohibit 18 discrimination in Orange County based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, 19 disability, familial status, and veteran status; to protect residents' lawful interests and their 20 personal dignity so as to make available to the County their full productive and creative 21 capacities, and to prevent public and domestic strife, crime, and unrest within Orange 22 County. 23 24 The attached resolution commits to working with Orange County Schools, the Orange 25 County Sheriff's Office, and the broader community to promote peaceful and civil 26 discourse and behavior, and support students and school staff. The resolution also 27 proposes that the Department of Human Rights and Relations and the Human Relations 28 Commission study and recommend measures that will promote civility among all groups in 29 the County. 30 31 Commissioner Hamilton reviewed the background information for the item. She said she 32 and Commissioner Richards worked on the resolution in response to the events that happened 33 in Orange County Schools. There were protests by parents, but also by members of the Proud 34 Boys, where there was intimidation and hostile and racial comments that caused students and 35 staff to feel unsafe. She said it is important for the Board to recognize what happened and to 36 support the schools to foster a civil environment and a positive school climate. She read a quote 37 by Marian Wright Edleman, founder of Children's Defense Fund: "a nation that does not stand 38 for its children does not stand for anything and will not stand tall in the future". She said the 39 future prosperity of the county and nation depends on children's education and children can't 40 learn in an environment of fear and intimidation. She said adults may disagree about curriculum 41 and public health measures, but must disagree in a civil manner that respects individual 42 differences and upholds a school climate that supports learning and emotional health for all 43 students as well as teachers and staff. She indicated adults must model what a civil society 44 looks like, and that this resolution says how the Board will do their part and support the schools. 45 Commissioner Richards said she would underscore the fact this resolution is not 46 intended to quell civil discourse of parents and input from the community around schools. She 47 hopes that commissioners, in support of this, can make sure this is communicated. She said 48 there is a role for parents to be involved and engaged and encourage parental involvement and 49 support for schools. She said it is all about how that is done and the respect and modeling of 50 civil behavior that should be encouraged. She said people may disagree, but need to do it in a 51 way that is respectful and projects values of the county. She said this was her first assignment,