On Wednesday, Buffalo Public Schools held a public meeting at the Frank E. Merriweather Library to discuss the district’s gender identity policy. The meeting, which was run by Assistant Superintendent Will Keresztes, generated some heated moments, according to a story by WNED’s Mike Desmond. It also generated the following email exchange between Keresztes and school board member Carl Paladino.

Included also is an exchange between Keresztes and school board member Larry Quinn, an ally of Paladino. It is included because it is part of the original emai chain, but also to offer a contrast in tone: Quinn and Keresztes address each other as adults, while Paladino addresses Keresztes—and gender identity—like the maladjusted child he has revealed himself to be again and again and again.

(Addressees names are left in; email addresses and other contact information have been redacted.)

On Aug 17, 2016, at 4:34 PM, Keresztes, Will wrote:

Board of Education Members:

The second of two public meetings on the draft Gender Identity Policy was held today at the Merriweather Library.  The meeting was facilitated by parent Ms. Jessica Bauer-Walker who has done outstanding work on our behalf on this and other policy proposals.

Several audience members raised strong objection to the process for feedback and requested a simple question and answer format.  That request was granted and the meeting concluded after good dialogue.  Several audience members also raised very strong objection to the restroom provisions in the policy.  WBFO will air a story in which those objections were heard and addressed by the convened panel.

Panel members for these meetings who joined me included Dr. Tom Mazur of Children’s Hospital and the Executive Directors from Gay and Lesbian Youth Services of Buffalo (GLYS), Buffalo Pride, and SPECTRUM of Buffalo.

Please contact me at your convenience should you have any questions.  Thank you.

Will Keresztes, Ed.D.

Chief of Intergovernmental Affairs, Planning, and Community Engagement

701 City Hall

Buffalo, NY  14202

 

From: Lawrence Quinn

Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2016 3:14 PM

To: Keresztes, Will

Cc: Cash, Kriner; Board Members and Secretaries; Cabinet

Subject: Re: On Behalf of Dr. Cash: Public Meeting Today

I attended the meeting and rather characterizing it as several, I would say that at least half the attendees (about 100 people) were vehemently opposed to the restroom and locker room policy. There was also at least one transgender student who very eloquently and passionately described his difficult transition and the problem he had with navigating the restroom issue. On the whole there were some very upset parents and it seems we have a lot of work ahead of us to make them comfortable. 

Sent from my iPhone

 

From: Keresztes, Will 

Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2016 4:27 PM

To: Lawrence Quinn

Cc: Cash, Kriner; Board Members and Secretaries; Cabinet

Subject: RE: On Behalf of Dr. Cash: Public Meeting Today

Mr. Quinn:  

Several  refers to the number of people who actually made statements for which notes were taken.  There were 8 different people who had a question or made a comment objecting to restroom access.  Four (4) disagreed with those comments or agreed with the language of policy. 

There were 6 different people who spoke against the framework offered by Ms. Bauer-Walker and 2 who supported.

I would agree with you that about half the room appeared to agree with the objections raised about restroom access.  The other half did not agree.

Thanks.

Will Keresztes, Ed.D.

Chief of Intergovernmental Affairs, Planning, and Community Engagement

701 City Hall

Buffalo, NY  14202

 

From: Carl Paladino

Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2016 5:04 PM

To: Keresztes, Will; Lawrence Quinn

Cc: Cash, Kriner; Board Members and Secretaries; Cabinet; [Tiffany Lankes, Buffalo News]; [Jamie Moses, Artvoice]; [Tom Baurle, WBEN]; [Mike Desmond, WNED]

Subject: RE: On Behalf of Dr. Cash: Public Meeting Today

I expect this issue to be addressed in open session at next week’s Board meeting.  Will, you stacked the panel with transgender advocates.  You probably stacked the room also.  You don’t really expect us to consider the feelings of the people who spoke at the meeting as being a referendum on this insane issue.  Stop the nonsense.  We have 32,000 kids in a dysfunctional school district with attendance, violence, bullying, drop out, morale, teacher contract, incompetent staff, friends and family over merit problems, a President who removes members from the Joint Schools Construction Board and schedules a meeting without discussion or notice and you are concerned with where 4 or 5 kids are going to pee. You want to impose this rule on the district to respond to a ridiculous rule dictated by a rogue President and the clowns that work for him?  Get a life.   The public is watching you.  To allow transgenders the choice of restrooms in the name of it being a progressive issue will be very disturbing to our community.  S6taqnd up for something in your life.  Tell Obama to pound salt.

 

From: Keresztes, Will

Sent: Friday, August 19, 2016 7:49 AM

To: Carl Paladino; Lawrence Quinn

Cc: Cash, Kriner; Board Members and Secretaries; Cabinet; [Tiffany Lankes, Buffalo News]; [Jamie Moses, Artvoice]; [Tom Baurle, WBEN]; [Mike Desmond, WNED]

Subject: RE: On Behalf of Dr. Cash: Public Meeting Today

Mr. Paladino:

You have an apocalyptic view of this school District, community, and the country.  

As you state, I hope the public is watching me.  I stand for equity and for the right of every student to fulfill their aspirations in an environment free from discrimination.  I am very comfortable in this space and hope that someday you’ll join me.

Will Keresztes, Ed.D.

Chief of Intergovernmental Affairs, Planning, and Community Engagement

701 City Hall

Buffalo, NY  14202