School boards are prodded to take a stance in gay marriage debate

Some trustees want their panels to take a public stand on Proposition 8, the initiative that would ban same-sex unions in California. Others say social issues don't belong in that forum.
By Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
August 18, 2008

When it comes to political views, Jim Gibson of Vista and Mike Katz-Lacabe of San Leandro are at opposite ends of the spectrum.Gibson, 54, a father of four, is a conservative and an evangelical Christian; Katz-Lacabe, 40, describes his politics as "hippie-liberal-granola."

But the two men have a bond: Both are school board members in small California districts who have proposed that their boards wade into the debate on Proposition 8, the initiative that would amend the state Constitution to ban same-sex marriage in California.

The initiative is the most hotly contested social issue on the ballot this fall, and although the boards' actions would have little effect in the classroom, both men said they thought it was important for their school boards to take a public position. the rest