On February 15, the Platte County (Wyoming) School Board refused to reconsider its decision to remove No Place for Hate® banners from its schools because they contained the logo of the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado, one of the initiative’s primary sponsors. At its previous meeting on January 18, the Board had voted 4-3 to remove the banners, which had been earned by students last year.  The Board’s January decision prompted ADL to withdraw the No Place for Hate® initiative from the district’s schools.

Dozens of people packed the School Board hearing to support the No Place for Hate® campaign, which had been active in Wheatland High School and West Elementary School since the 2008-9 school year.  ADL Mountain States Regional Director Bruce H. DeBoskey joined concerned community members in asking the Board to reconsider its decision and permit the schools to continue their activities focused on promoting respect and confronting bullying.  Despite the overwhelming show of support for the initiative, the Board has not yet reconsidered its decision.

The two Wheatland schools had been among 25 Colorado and Wyoming schools participating in the No Place for Hate® initiative in the 2009-2010 academic year.

For more information see the Denver Post or listen to the report on Wyoming Public Radio.