During a special school board meeting on December 2nd, 2014, board member Liz Biondi insisted that the next superintendent of Warren Township High School District 121 not be “gay or lesbian”. Her clearly discriminatory and inflammatory statements and opinions stand in clear contrast to Warren’s continued efforts to include, welcome, and value all members of our greater Warren family.

As we continue to remind our students, words matter, and as a leader of our district, Ms. Biondi should be held at least to the same standard to which we hold those in our charge. Her statements fell well below the threshold of acceptable behavior, her opinions run counter to the values of our school, and she has set an example of, at best, ignorance, and at worst, bigotry.

For these reasons, we demand that Ms. Biondi step down as member of the Warren Township High School Board.