Tensions in Central Bucks intensify as LGBTQ+ students are targeted

Right now, LGBTQ+ students and their families are feeling alienated as Central Bucks administration targets their identities and school environment.

For the past few years, tensions have risen regarding the treatment of marginalized students in Central Bucks. There have been plenty of incidents involving racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, and more. Students of these marginalized identities feel unsafe and uncomfortable, especially as some administration turns a blind eye to daily incidents regarding these minority groups. This tension has been building up in the hearts of the students for the last few school years, but the lack of interpersonal connection during the COVID-19 pandemic helped ease tensions between students for some time, as most people were at home. However, tensions did not stay eased.

Amidst a heated local election for school board and new a superintendent, tensions have continued to rise as of late. Members of the community have spoken out at school board meetings, waiting in the dark and in the rain for a chance to speak that, for many, didn’t come. After the December school board meeting, Whyy.org published an article titled “Central Bucks residents speak up about transphobia and antisemitism in the community.” It was reported that “during that meeting, one community member said trans women are rapists. Another community member made allegations that there are ties to the mafia in the Jewish community, and he also sought to make connections between district diversity and inclusion initiatives and ‘Zionism and communism.’” Many community members were heated about these antisemitic and transphobic remarks, and the board’s tolerance for these attacks. “Most community members who attended Monday’s board meeting said those comments — and the silence from most board members that followed — are symptoms of larger anti-inclusion and anti-diversity rhetoric and action in Central Bucks. They said they wished the board had immediately denounced and condemned the statements” (Rizzo).

These attacks, unfortunately, have not come to an end. On Saturday, May 7th, it was reported that a beloved teacher from Lenape Middle School had been suspended. The conditions of his suspension were murky and unclear, and, at the time of writing, the administration has yet to make an official comment about his suspension. In an Instagram post that has been circulating the district, some information was given: “Mr. Burgess is in his 15th year in CBSD and is a deeply respected and beloved Social Studies teacher at Lenape Middle school in Doylestown, PA. He is the Middle School Vice President of the teacher’s union, and active with the No Place for Hate programs at Lenape MS. He was suspended from teaching at Lenape MS on Friday, May 6th, 2022. This is linked directly to actions he took in support of LGBTQ+ students and safety. Mr. Burgess provided a parent of an LGBTQ+ student with accurate contact information for the Office of Civil Rights (OCR), after learning of repeated issues of bullying the student was enduring at Lenape MS related to their gender identity and expression. Giving a student or family this information is legal, ethical, and important. It is also public information available to anyone. The sudden suspension of Mr. Burgess also feels like part of a deeply concerning pattern. On May 6th, some teachers at Unami MS were told by administration to remove their rainbow/Pride flags from their classrooms. Teachers at Lenape MS were recently warned about the dangers of having classroom libraries containing books with content or themes currently being targeted for book-banning and removal. This led to some teachers immediately removing dozens of age-appropriate, award-winning books from their classrooms with LGBTQ+ content or themes. District administrators also recently informed all school counselors that Human Growth and Development classrooms will not only continue to be separated by sex, but that if students wish to participate, they must go to the classroom which corresponds with their sex assigned at birth, rather than their affirming gender identity. And staff at Lenape MS were also informed that for students who use affirming pronouns or names different than their birth certificate or school records they are to be directed to guidance for parent involvement/ approval, an unnecessary requirement which puts many students at risk of being outed at school, risking rejection, gender dysphoria, and psychological harm. This discrimination has to stop.”

As an LGBTQ+ student myself, I am tired of the blatant discrimination that is apparent in our school district. I’ve been blessed with Mr. Jason Bucher, the principal at CB South, who is devoted to supporting the students at South. However, support like his can only go so far. This comes from intrinsic and systemic prejudice from the community.

As a member of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, I’ve had the pleasure of working with Dr. Lucabaugh, the superintendent of schools in the district. In those meetings, we have discussed the importance of LGBTQ+ safety and recognition, and it saddens me that incidents like these continue.

The tension of the district bubbled up to today, May 10th, 2022, when students around the district started protesting at their schools regarding the suspension of Mr. Burgess and the ensuing actions. Finally, the school board met tonight, and many members of the community showed out to speak.

One CB West student took the podium tonight to speak to the board members. A powerful and intelligent young woman, Paree Pasi made waves when she finally got the school board to recognize Diwali as a district-wide holiday, after students who celebrate Diwali had been ignored for years. Tonight, Paree made waves yet again. In her address, she spoke with strength and passion.

“Every person who goes to a Central Bucks school is not just a Bucks county resident. Every cisgender, straight person is not just part of the cisgender community and not just part of the straight community. Every person who is at this board meeting today, every single board member, every single one of the 18,000 students in the Central Bucks School D are part of the world. They are part of a global community that is full of different genders, different pronouns, different sexualities, different races, different religions, different cultures, different backgrounds, and that’s a fact. I said it when I was advocating for Diwali, and I will say it again. We are all global citizens. I understand that not every place is the same. Not every place is as diverse as Bucks county. Some places are more diverse than Bucks county, and some are less. But whether or not Bucks county is diverse shouldn’t dictate what we choose to teach our students. Every board member has a responsibility, not just as a global citizen but also as a parent, as an educator, as a leader, as a person who was elected to make decisions for the betterment of our community to give a holistic education to all of our students” (Pasi).

Students are passionate and determined to protect themselves and their identities. Central Bucks is, without a doubt, one of the most successful districts in the state, nation, and world academically. However, the environment can be taxing and intolerable for students, especially for underrepresented students.

There are plenty of kind, understanding, and empowering teachers, counselors, and administration, but the suspension of Mr. Burgess is a warning to other teachers, a cautionary tale. Many students in the district are tired of it, as are teachers, parents, and families. I have nothing but respect for the members of our administration and community, but the neglect to cater to the issues of marginalized students has created a non-productive and anxiety-inducing environment for many around the district.

The discrimination, hate, targeting, and prejudice must end. We must strive to be a kinder, more inclusive community. Our homes and communities, as well as our schools and administration must strive for kindness and respect for all. A simple expectation.