Failure on all fronts in transgender debate

In response to your editorial on 12/11/15 which stated "it's unfortunate that the school board was not unanimous in approving this compromise" regarding the District 211 settlement with the Office for Civil Rights, I offer the following:

• It's unfortunate the priority is being put on unanimous votes for a "compromise" that violates students' rights instead of a priority on unanimous votes for transparency.

• It's unfortunate these important decisions regarding our children were made without parental input or notification.

• It's unfortunate the Board did not vote unanimously to have this discussion in open session. There was only one dissenting vote (Dombrowski) for going into closed session. Therefore those who have nothing to hide, hide nothing.

• It's unfortunate all decision-making processes over the last 2+ years were held behind closed doors and in a nontransparent manner, instead of in open session at a Board meeting.

• It's unfortunate we had only had two Board Members (Dombrowski, Recker) who voted the will of the people on this issue.

• It's unfortunate we don't know why the five (Burke, Hinshaw, Klimkowicz, Lefevre, Scharringhausen) on the Board voted for this.

• It's unfortunate there was no vote for direction by the Board prior to the news release on Columbus Day.

• It's unfortunate that Superintendent. Dan Cates chose to go on national television and to debate this issue in public instead of engaging our local community and local parents.

• It's unfortunate our community found out the same way the rest of our country discovered, thanks to a closed door authorization for Dr. Cates to speak on the issue.

• It's unfortunate this Board lacks leadership.

• It's unfortunate that less than 6 months after an election our community is in dire need of change, again.

Jen Zold

Palatine