Juneau School Board candidates got a taste Monday night of both the recurrent topics that dominate community conversations, and new ones the board has never faced but will soon have to develop policies for. And therein arose key differences.
As moderators Lisa Phu of the Empire and KTOO’s Quinton Chandler pointed out to the four candidates, transgender athletes have already started competing at the state level. A biological male who identifies as female competed this year in a state track meet, and the Alaska Schools Activity Association ruled that such decisions come from individual school districts. Candidate Jason Hart, although in favor of students using any bathroom they identify with, said with sports the rules should be different.
“I think as far as athletics go, that should be defined (by) the birth certificate,” Hart said. “My view of it, as far as athletics go to make it fair at all levels, it should be (according to birth certificates.)”
All of the candidates agreed with Hart’s take on transgender student bathroom policies, but none were as definitively against giving transgender students options.
[Candidates respond during ‘Lightning Round’]
Candidates Kevin Allen and Steve Whitney both said that more needs to be considered before a clear “yes” or “no” can be handed out. Both made references to the fact that at even at the Olympic level, this matter is debated and a clear right or wrong approach simply does not exist. Candidate Dan DeBartolo delivered the only opposition to Hart’s response, saying there was no question about it — all students should be allowed to play on the team that reflects their gender identity.
“If someone demonstrates they’re physically capable to do the sport we’re talking about, or do the activity we’re talking about — injury of course is a concern, but if we can get past that particular metric — if someone is able to perform at a competitive level, then let them do it,” DeBartolo said.
Disagreements during Monday’s debate at the KTOO building, hosted in partnership with the Juneau Empire, KTOO public radio and Juneau Votes, didn’t occur often and it was seldom that a candidate had a clear plan for what they would do if elected to the board. The candidates agreed that before facing the increasing college campus rape epidemic, high school students — perhaps even younger students — should be given greater sex education tools to lessen the likelihood of becoming victims.
The district’s curriculum also needs to include more STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics focused learning) opportunities before students enter the workforce, the candidates agreed. But making all of these changes, and on a budget that will likely shrink as a result of the state’s multibillion-dollar deficit, is what the board will have figure out it want’s to add any new curriculum.
Allen, a recent graduate of Thunder Mountain High School who sat on the board as a student representative, suggested the board seek more federal grants to relieve some of the pressure. DeBartolo disagreed, saying grants wouldn’t create the long-term solution schools need and instead schools should create partnerships with local businesses to help cover the costs of travel for student sports activities. Whitney, the candidate through the night least willing to give definitive answers, again veered from a budget solution and said he needed more time.
Candidate Hart came to the table with a clearer answer, especially where funding school sports are concerned — a city sales tax.
“I think if you need to understand the importance of athletics, you can look no further than the (Juneau-Douglas High School) football game Saturday night here when there was a tragic accident Saturday morning,” Hart said.
Hart was referencing the sudden death of Thunder Mountain High School student Ryan Mayhew, 17, after police say he unintentionally shot himself.
Members of the community gathered before the JDHS football game that same day for a ceremony in his remembrance.
“The importance of activities can’t be undersold,” Hart said.
Absentee voting for the Oct. 4 municipal election is currently open. Registered voters can cast absentee in-person ballots now through Oct. 3 at City Hall or at the Mendenhall Mall Annex.
Juneau Public Library Director Robert Barr, right, introduces the School Board candidate forum at the KTOO Studios on Monday.
