🟦 CALL TO ACTION: PUT TRUSTEE JARED WHITE’S MOTION BACK ON THE TABLE
Parents have the right to be informed and involved in what their children are being taught — especially when it comes to topics about Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) in elementary and middle schools.
On October 21, 2025, Trustee Jared White brought forward a simple, reasonable motion:
➡️ That educators give parents one week’s notice before introducing Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity resources in the classroom.
This motion was not about censorship or exclusion — it was about transparency and parental involvement.
It aimed to ensure that parents are fully informed, that teachers and families can work together, and that students receive the support they need at home.
Yet, only one trustee (Mike Rauch) supported this motion.
The rest of the board — including Arsh Kaler, Shirley Wilson, Preet Rai, Stan Petersen, and Rupi Kanda-Rajwan — voted against it.
Trustee White said it best:
“Are you sure you don’t want to support this? It’s a pretty important topic to a lot of people in Abbotsford.”
He’s right — this is important to parents, families, and our entire community.
AP 211 allows parental notice for sensitive topics, but SOGI-inclusive learning is woven into daily lessons — meaning parents are not notified. Jared’s motion simply closes this gap in transparency.
📣 We call on the Abbotsford School Board to bring Jared White’s motion back for discussion and vote again.
Parents deserve transparency.
Students deserve support from home.
And trustees should respect the voices of the families they serve.
👉 Add your voice. Contact the Abbotsford School Board. Demand they put Trustee Jared White’s motion back on the table.
LETTER TEMPLATE:
Subject: Request to Reinstate Trustee Jared White’s Motion for Parental Notification on SOGI Resources
Dear Members of the Abbotsford Board of Education,
I am writing as a concerned parent and member of the Abbotsford community to formally request that the Board reconsider and reinstate Trustee Jared White’s motion from the October 21, 2025 meeting — the motion that proposed requiring educators in elementary and middle schools to give one week’s notice to parents before using Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) resources in the classroom.
This motion was not about restricting discussion or inclusion — it was about transparency, communication, and parental involvement. Trustee White clearly articulated that his intention was to ensure parents are fully informed and engaged when sensitive topics are introduced in the classroom, allowing them to support their children at home.
As highlighted during the meeting and in the district’s own policies:
- AP 211 allows for parental notice when sensitive curriculum topics are taught.
- However, SOGI-inclusive learning often occurs outside the formal Health or Physical Education curriculum, meaning no notice is currently sent home to parents.
- Trustee White’s motion sought to close this gap and uphold the principle of collaboration between parents, teachers, and the school district.
This is a reasonable, responsible, and balanced approach that aligns with the values of transparency, trust, and partnership between families and schools. Many parents in Abbotsford believe this issue deserves further discussion, not dismissal.
I respectfully ask that the Board put Trustee Jared White’s motion back on the table for reconsideration at the next available public meeting.
Parents have the right to be informed and involved in their children’s education, especially on sensitive topics that shape their values and understanding of identity.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter, and for serving our community with integrity.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
Parent / Abbotsford Resident
[Your Email Address]
[Your Phone Number (optional)]
