Anoka-Hennepin School Board Votes to Settle Lawsuit

Updated below. The Anoka-Hennepin School Board voted 5-1 Monday night to approve an agreement to settle a lawsuit over a "neutrality" policy on discussing sexual orientation in class, according to media reports. 

Two national civil-rights groups against the district last July on behalf of five current and former students. The suit alleges discrimination in the district's policies on the  sexual orientation and mistreatment of students based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation.

Board member Kathy Tinglestad voted against the agreement and then resigned from the board.

Last month the school board in favor of a new policy.

The northwestern corner of Fridley is in the Anoka-Hennepin district.

Update (10:30 p.m. Monday): The district posted terms of the settlement on its website Monday night. Beyond $270,000 to be paid by the district's insurer to the six students and enhanced anti-discrimination efforts, the district promised to:

• Retain an Equity Consultant to provide a systemic review and recommend any needed revisions to district policies related to harassment, as well as district procedures relating to the investigation and response to incidents of harassment, parental notification, and tracking of harassment incidents.
• Hire a Title IX/Equity Coordinator who will implement district policies and procedures, monitor complaints, ensure that district administrators and staff adhere to sex and sexual orientation-based discrimination laws, and identify trends and common areas of concern. 
• Work with the Equity Consultant and Title IX Coordinator/Equity Coordinator to develop improved and effective trainings on harassment for all students and employees who interact with students.
• Ensure that a counselor or other qualified mental health professional to be available during school hours for students in need.
• Hire a mental health consultant to review and access current practices in the district relating to assisting students who are subject to harassment.
• Provide additional specificity to further strengthen its annual anti-bullying survey. 
• Expand the district's harassment-prevention task force formed the summer of 2011 to advise the district regarding how to best foster a positive educational climate for all students.  
• Work with the Equity Consultant to further identify hot spots in district schools where harassment is or becomes problematic, including outdoor locations and on school buses, and work with the Equity Consultant to develop actions that better align with a safe, welcoming school environment.