VANCOUVER 鈥� School board trustees Sophia Woo and Ken Denike have been kicked out of the Non-Partisan Association (NPA) caucus over their controversial stance on a proposed 91原创 school board policy about sexual orientation and gender identity.
鈥淭he decision to expel Denike and Woo was necessary given that the two have chosen to follow their own course in various matters without consulting with the other members of caucus,鈥� the NPA said in statement.
鈥淭he caucus has concluded that Denike and Woo do not share the same level of sensitivity and understanding of the [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] community.鈥�
The proposed policy puts into writing guidelines for how teachers and staff in 91原创 school districts can improve inclusivity for students who identify as gender variant or transgender.
The 91原创 school board is expected to meet Monday to vote on adopting the policy.
Much of the opposition came from a number of parents involved with a Conservative special interest group, who rallied behind Woo and Denike.
Woo and Denike had been vocal opponents of the policy, and on Friday the pair hosted a meeting with realtors who claimed the revised policy 鈥渃ould negatively impact enrolment of international students and west side students in 91原创鈥檚 public schools,鈥� and in turn, harm real estate investment.
鈥淭his concern warrants attention as enrolment is declining due to demographic factors. Further decline would increase budget deficits that are already problematic,鈥� said a statement issued by Denike and Woo.
鈥淭iming is critical.鈥�
Vision 91原创 school board trustee and chairwoman Patti Bacchus later released a statement that condemned the 鈥渄isturbing comments鈥� by the NPA trustees.
鈥淢y colleagues and I are incredibly disappointed that the NPA would once against try to play politics at the expense of our students, and this underscores the clear risks of allowing the NPA to take 91原创 backward,鈥� Bacchus said.
鈥淭he NPA should apologize for in any way suggesting the LGBTTQ students or their rights could have a negative impact on our community, and I hope all NPA elected officials and prospective mayoral candidates will condemn these remarks.鈥�
