BSVDWatch.org

BVSD News Release, May 17th, 2007

Statement by Dr. George F. García, Superintendent:

April 10 2007 Colorado World Affairs Conference Panel at Boulder High School

BOULDER – “The Boulder Valley School District, while proud of our ongoing

relationship with the University of Colorado’s annual Conference on World Affairs, does

regret that attendance at the CWA panel, held in the Boulder High School auditorium on

Tuesday, April 10, 2007, was required. This practice was never a part of the school’s

protocol for the annual World Affairs Conference panel. It was a mistake on the part of

the school and the district to require student attendance. Both the school principal and

district administration have apologized for this error and it will not happen again. The

district is reviewing, with school administrators, the complaint of a Boulder High School

parent regarding both the content and staging of the panel.

“The opinions expressed by the panel members concerning teen sexual activity and drug

use were their own and are not necessarily a reflection of the Boulder Valley School

District, its Board of Education or the administration and faculty of Boulder High

School. In fact, specific comments made that could be interpreted as advocating or even

glamorizing sexual relations among teens as well as condoning the use of illegal drugs

directly contradict district policy.

“The Boulder Valley School District supports the partnership between the Colorado

World Affairs Conference and Boulder High School. High school administration is

committed to valuing the rights of parents and students to individually and as a family

determine whether to listen to the panel or participate in any discussion arising from it.”