In a landmark decision, in the interest of sane policy our friends at the Orange County Board of Education, in a unanimous vote of the Board of Trustees,
passed a resolution that will require the state legislature to consider extending the personal beliefs exemption filing date to July 1, 2016. Yes folks, while the room sat empty with the exception of our dedicated team, the OC Board of Education took the first step pushing back this law in the entire State of California. The precedent has been set and other districts will now follow.
Parents need time to understand what is on the line, school districts need time to properly inform parents of their rights, and district staff needs time to understand their crucial role in carrying out their duties as public servants through full disclosure balancing the interests of public health and parental rights.
Special thanks to Lisa Heyrend and the entire team Shanda Lobatos , Susan Born, Juli Stockstill, Dora Ramirez who have for months worked tirelessly with OC Board and put together the parental rights matter group who simultaneously took on other districts. This is the same group that has The Fullerton School District voting on this very same item at their next meeting. Here is the story on that-
The dominoes are falling ladies and gentlemen.
Special thanks to Robert Hammonds and the elected representatives that acted in the interests of all involved. The power of the individual determined to benefit others is key in this fight for our children. We are all in this together but we must never lose sight of the unique power of the ingenuity of the individual. No man or woman is an island so long as we hold fast to the common goal.
The battle is long and hard but it will be won one step at a time with steps just like this and with the valiant selfless efforts of people like Lisa and all of you. Think outside the box and you will be amazed at the results. We still have a long way to go but now there will more than likely be another 6 months to awaken parents to the dangers of vaccines, educate them on how to navigate the process of exemptions and force school districts to do what they have not been doing for a very long time: informing parents of the existence of an immunization waiver, and letting parents know that the school nurse can sign it in the school office.
I can assure you that this is just the beginning.
#1 by Naomi Gold on December 20, 2015 - 3:10 pm
Thank you, each and every one of those of you who are fighting against SB 277. How on earth can they kick so many kids out of school? It’s unconscionable.