Anoka-Hennepin takes up new sexual orientation replacement policy tonight

The Anoka-Hennepin school board will hear a new proposal Monday night for replacing a policy on sexual orientation curriculum matters.

The current policy requires staff to remain neutral when the subject of sexual orientation comes up in class and elsewhere. Critics have sued to have the policy removed. And last month, a replacement was proposed that would have banned teachers from advocating their personal beliefs on controversial topics.

But that 'controversial topics' proposal drew strong opposition, so Superintendent Dennis Carlson says the board will hear a new policy proposal.

"The controversial issues policy is no longer on the table," he said.

That new policy is called the 'Respectful Learning Environment' policy -- but it's not available yet. District staff spent the weekend finalizing the wording.