Scuttlebutt over the treatment of LGBTQ/A+ students by a few teachers at Cheldelin Middle School may be boiling over – and even motivating a planned student walkout. But we may not be able to bring you that story because the School District won’t issue us a press pass for the day of the action.
Press is routinely required to obtain a press pass to cover stories at Corvallis’ schools.
Here’s what happened: On Nov. 28, the newspaper was informed that “…students in Cheldelin Middle School are going to do a walkout for LGBTQIA+ youth, anti-racism, and feminism. The walkout is going to be on December 15th, 2023 at 10:00 am. There are students willing to speak on camera or to reporters, and there are at least 30 students participating.” The individual that approached the paper wishes to remain anonymous.
On Dec. 4, we requested a press pass from the district, writing, in part, “Our plan is to anonymize any students, which would include student interviewees. For instance, we may publish a student’s self-reported orientation, gender pronouns, and grade level – and any quote they’re comfortable offering. However, we would not publish their name, or any information, quote or not, that could lead someone to identify them. We will not be photographing any students, but we may photograph district staff if they are present.”
Notably, The Advocate has never been accused of violating offers of anonymity or confidentiality.
Here’s what Superintendent Ryan Noss Said: On Dec. 8 we received a written response from Corvallis Public Schools Superintendent Ryan Noss, “Thank you for your request. I appreciate your interest in helping our student’s voices be heard. As you know, media representatives are required to gain prior approval from the building principal or designee before accessing students involved in newsworthy events.”
“Given this topic, I have concerns about the potential to “out” an LGBTQI2S+ student to your readership and their community. If this occurred, the safety and security of our LGBTQI2S+ students at school and potentially their community would be substantially disrupted. As you have shared in your media request, you would take steps to try to avoid this situation from occurring. However, based on the gender identities of our students at a single school, I maintain my concern that confidentiality could be lost for our 11-14 year-old students.”
“I have also spoken with Cheldelin Principal Stephanne Seals. In conversations with the students planning to walk out and the Pride leader and dean of students, the students have expressed the same concerns I outlined above about their safety. Given these shared concerns about student safety, I am denying your media request.”
Cheldelin’s Principal Also Responded: Also on Dec. 8, Cheldelin Middle School Principal Stephanie Seals wrote us, “ Since hearing about this planned walkout, our PRIDE Club leader and I have met with our Pride Club students to listen to their concerns. They were able to share more about what they want to see changed at our school and how we can support them.”
“Regardless of whether they walk out, we will continue to talk with these students so they can be part of identifying solutions to address their concerns. I’m happy to schedule a time to discuss with you the solutions that we are working towards with the students.”
The Advocate’s Response: We encourage students to contact us directly if they would like, you can email editor@corvallisadvocate.com. We’re here for you if getting your story out to the wider community will help, and we will maintain your anonymity.
Among our values is a mission statement that reads, “Our mission is to advocate for the highest good of the community, by transcending divisions and building bridges between different people groups near and far. We aim to seek out and promote those that do their best to propel the community forward on its evolutionary track through positive nourishing practices, while, at the same time, offering support to those that are marred, misrepresented, and misunderstood.”
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We plan to follow-up with Cheldelin’s principal, and possibly others at the school district.
Do you have a story for The Advocate? Email editor@corvallisadvocate.com