Parent urges board to publicly affirm support for LGBTQ students and remove 'discriminatory' language

Satie Anton, a parent of a student at RHS, used the public comment period to urge the Elk River School District board to publicly affirm support for LGBTQ and other minority students and to remove what she described as discriminatory language from the district's platform.

"All of our students need your support, not your intolerance," Anton said, urging the board to "publicly affirm your support for LGBTQ and other minority youth, including the right to dignity, belonging, and protection under Minnesota law," to remove discriminatory language from district materials, and to attend or speak at local events that celebrate and affirm LGBTQ students.

Anton cited national data and research during her remarks: she said the Human Rights Campaign reports 60% of LGBTQ youth experience teasing, bullying or poor treatment and that more than two-thirds report feeling unsafe at school because of sexual orientation or gender identity; she also referenced research summarized by childrens.org linking supportive staff and comprehensive anti-bullying policies to better outcomes and reduced suicide risk among LGBTQ students. The transcript records those citations as part of Anton's public comment; the board did not respond during the public comment period, per meeting protocol.

Why it matters: Anton framed her remarks as a request for board leadership and action to protect student safety and wellbeing. She asked board members and candidates not to campaign against children and sought visible public support from elected members.

Record details and next steps: Public comment rules noted by the chair prohibit naming students or employees and state the board will not answer questions during this segment; the transcript shows Anton completed her remarks and the board moved on to the superintendent's report. The transcript contains no formal response from board members to Anton's requests, so the claims and requests remain on the public record without a board reply.