During the meeting, many students, parents and area residents expressed their opinions about the clause. Many spoke in support of this very important issue.

The board must take into consideration the number of students who are in support of this amendment to the clause. The number of parents and others who spoke at the meeting should also be a clue that this is an important and popular idea. Also, students find this a very notable and worthy issue that is shown by the number who came to the meeting.

Those who are opposed to the addition argued the inclusion of the phrase would give lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered (LGBT) teachers an opportunity to impose their personal life onto their students and teach them "how to be gay."

Personal life of teachers, regardless of their sexual orientation, should and usually does remain separate from classroom life. Just as heterosexual teachers do not teach their students how to be heterosexual, LGBT teachers do not teach their pupils how to be a member of the LGBT community.

Others cited religious and moral reasons as their bases for opposition and feared it would promote such a "lifestyle."

The proposed clause states the district will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age or religion. In order not to discriminate against any member of society, the inclusion of the phrase sexual orientation is necessary.

The inclusion of sexual orientation will only promote diversity. Perhaps the inclusion of this phrase will also help fester feelings of tolerance, which is a very important lesson people can learn at any age.