Colorado school board to debate resolution on heterosexual families

The debate over gay marriage has reached the Colorado Springs, Colo., school board, which will discuss whether one of its goals should be promoting "stable, heterosexual, two-parent families." Board member Willie Breazell got the resolution on Wednesday's agenda despite the skepticism of at least one other board member. "How does this relate to our goal of student achievement?" board member Karen Teja asked. "I think it's part of the problem we have in this district," Breazell replied. Two other school trustees agreed to put the resolution on the agenda, giving Breazell the three informal votes needed. The proposed resolution asks Colorado Springs's delegation to the legislature to promote state policy "which defines, defends, maintains, and nourishes stable, heterosexual, two-parent families." Breazell said Thursday he believes families are better off if parents stay together. "The single-parent household is at a tremendous disadvantage in our society," he said. "You need someone available for PTA meetings and all." Teja said the school district is responsible for the learning environment, not the family environment. "My guess is that the majority of our students do not live in what this resolution is calling a 'traditional' family," she said. Teja questioned whether the resolution would run afoul of state and federal bans on discrimination.