In covering the story about Peet Junior High and the involvement of Sen. Eric Giddens and his wife, Kendra Wohlert, The Iowa Standard has asked many questions of the Cedar Falls School District.
They have cooperated for the most part, but we wanted to share the questions we’ve asked that have gone unanswered.
- What response can the district provide that other students were made to feel uncomfortable by this event, which Mr. Boevers approved?
- Reports from parents as well as video and pictures posted on social media show adults manning the tables at this event. Where were the students involved in the student group?
- Why were parents not notified this would be happening on school grounds during school time?
- Does the school district believe every student should feel comfortable at such an event?
- Is it within the school and district’s policy for adults to hand out unpackaged food to students?
The district did say they were aware of the event, but the event was carried out in a way that was not anticipated or approved. So it is likely the district did not know the event would incorporate the gay pride element.
But The Iowa Standard believes those are important questions that should be answered. Mistakes were obviously made. We give credit to the district for admitting to it. But we are left to wonder how the district is responding to them.
The damage, in this case, is done. The fact another situation like it won’t happen does not fix what already took place. How is the district communicating with students who were made to feel uncomfortable by this event?
The Iowa Standard sent a few questions to the district under the premise that district policy was clearly violated.
- What is the punishment for violating district policy?
- What, if anything, will the district do with adults who were involved in this activity? According to district policy, only students may attend and participate in meetings of noncurriculum-related groups. Clearly this was not what happened.
- According to district policy, employees are supposed to be assigned to monitor approved meetings, but cannot participate in the meeting or assist in planning or encouraging attendance. What employee(s) was/were supposed to be monitoring this event? Did any district employee participate in the meeting or assist in planning or encourage attendance?
Janelle Darst, the communications director for the Cedar Falls School District, simply said the district does not comment publicly on staff or student policy violations or outcomes.
