Public Education Partners’ Letter to the State Board of Education

Dear Pres. McGuire, Vice-Pres. Manchester, and Members of the State School Board of Ohio:

Once again, the Board of Public Education Partners respectfully requests that you vote against the current misleading and unnecessary resolution about gender identity policies. As most of you would agree, this resolution supports discriminatory practices against an already marginalized LGBTQ+ student population.  

It's time to send a clear message that the state school board is a law-abiding non-partisan organization that only supports sound proposals based on factual information and best practices, rather than fear-mongering conspiracy theories and political extremism.

Please dismiss Mike Toal’s “Resolution to Oppose Proposed Changes to Title IX and to Affirm Parental Rights and Local Control of Ohio K-12 Education,” and look for better ways to build policies and practices that affirm and celebrate ALL students.

The members of the Board of Public Education Partners would also like to express their kind sentiments to the members of the State School Board after the negative rhetoric directed at you during the proposed board takeover agenda. We were especially disappointed to hear this disingenuous comment from your Senate colleague, who has served as an ex officio member of the BOE for many years: You’ve got to have leadership, you’ve got to have structure and you’ve got to have the ability to have accountability in place. It’s not there – it hasn’t been there for several years.

The PEP Board believes that you already have the leadership, the structure, and the accountability in place to make a positive difference for the children and families of Ohio. We believe in you.

Just say NO to the culture wars, so you have the time needed to continue showing Ohioans the great things that you do for education in the Buckeye State.

Thank you for your service!

Sincerely,

Jeanne Melvin 

and the Board of 

Public Education Partners