“We Want [Insert Name of Student]” echoed through the Monarch High School campus during an organized walkout. The intended inclusive environment is deteriorating from a minor complaint months ago to an ongoing investigation surrounding Monarch High School.
On June 1st, 2021, the Republican Governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, signed SB 1028, making this the first anti-LGBTQ law in twenty-three years. The bill specifies the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act,” which forces intercollegiate and high school athletes to only play sports according to their biological sex and birth certificate. The bill reads, “Athletic teams or sports designated for females, women, or girls may not be open to students of the male sex” (Florida Statutes). Twenty-three states have also implemented this law, including Texas, Alabama, and Arizona (MAP). However, Florida was the eighth state to follow this law.
The same day the Florida government passed the law, an activist group called “Protect Trans Youth” rallied in Orlando, Florida, in response to the implementation. Over one hundred protestors gathered to express their concerns about the future of transgender students’ lives.
Broward County has made efforts to abide by this law while also maintaining an inclusive environment. A new document resurfacing called the “Inclusive Schools Student Support Guide” specifies these regulations. The second sentence of the guide reads, “Creating a safe and inclusive school environment for all students is crucial for their overall academic and personal success.” However, the document takes a turn. “Unfortunately, studies have shown that vulnerable student populations are more likely to face bullying, harassment, and exclusion from their peers and even from their teachers…” Were the efforts made in the case of Monarch High School intended to protect a “vulnerable” student? The principal, along with other teachers and coaches have shown their support for this student throughout their athletic season.
James Cecil, the former principal of Monarch High School for more than twenty years, has been reassigned to an alternate non-school site along with three other employees. Students from Monarch High School claim that the state of Florida’s reassignment of principal Cecil is “too harsh,” according to an interview conducted by CBS Miami. A statement from the Broward County Superintendent Peter Licata mentions that the investigation will be fair and no one is “guilty” at this time.
These rapid changes have instigated unrest amongst the students at Monarch High School. Posters, signs, and an angry crowd of students stormed through Monarch’s campus on Tuesday, November 28th. Students advocated not only for their principal but for their classmate. Signs from the organized walkout read “Let Her Go” and “Who’s Going to Pay for The Psychological Damage?” indicating that the media attention of the undisclosed high school student will be detrimental.
The investigation continues to be thoroughly executed.
