Latest news with #Mastin
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Woman sues Keararge board, saying rights violated during trans-athlete debate
Attorneys for a Nashua woman filed a lawsuit in federal court Thursday claiming her First Amendment rights were violated when she was 'silenced and threatened with police intervention' after referring to a biologically male athlete on a girls soccer team as a 'tall boy' during a Kearsarge Regional School Board meeting last summer. Attorneys from the Institute for Free Speech, along with local counsel Roy S. McCandless, say Beth Scaer attended the Aug. 29, 2024, meeting to speak out against transgender athletes in girls high school sports, after members of the Kearsarge Regional School Board announced that it would revisit its decision to enforce House Bill 1205, a state law that limited participation in interscholastic girls sports to biological females. Free Speech Complaint The Kearsarge Regional School District is based in New London. The lawsuit, filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Concord, claims Kearsarge board members silenced Scaer 'just seconds' into her remarks, with board Chair Alison Mastin declaring Scaer's speaking time forfeited, and warning her that police would intervene if she continued speaking and threatening to have the police remove her for violating an unwritten policy against 'derogatory comments' for referring to a biologically male athlete on the girls' soccer team as a 'tall boy." While Scaer was speaking, many attendees in the meeting room "jeered, and hissed to express their opposition to her comments," the lawsuit claims. "Some audience members applauded Mastin for interrupting Beth and cutting her off early," the lawsuit says. "Scaer attempted to protest Mastin's silencing her, but — due to the jeers, hissing, and applause — it was difficult to hear Scaer. Mastin and the school board made no attempt to quiet the crowd so that Scaer's comments could be heard." The lawsuit claims other speakers were given a full three minutes to express support for the transgender athlete by name, with one attendee displaying a sign with the athlete's name on it — which the board allowed. The lawsuit claims the board's actions are unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination that violates the First Amendment. The suit also argues that the unwritten 'no derogatory comments' rule is unreasonable, vague, overbroad, and selectively enforced against disfavored viewpoints. 'School boards cannot invent speech rules on the fly to silence citizens expressing views they dislike,' Institute for Free Speech attorney Nathan Ristuccia said. 'This unwritten rule about 'derogatory' comments gives the board unchecked power to determine which speech is acceptable and which isn't — precisely what the First Amendment prohibits." The Kearsarge meeting featured a heated debate over the state's Fairness in Women's Sports Act, a law reserving girls sports for biological females. The district had previously voted to follow the law, but following the incident with Scaer, the Kearsarge board reversed course, voting 5-1 to allow the transgender athlete to compete on the girls soccer team. 'Everyone deserves an equal opportunity to address their elected officials without fear of censorship,' Scaer said. 'This case is about ensuring that all citizens — regardless of their viewpoint — can participate in public meetings and comment on issues that are important to the community.' The lawsuit seeks to enjoin enforcement of the 'no derogatory comments' rule, prevent discrimination against speech based on viewpoint, and establish that Scaer's First Amendment rights were violated. Scaer's attorneys also say the lawsuit aims to ensure that Scaer, and others, can speak freely at future board meetings without fear of censorship, retaliation, or removal simply for expressing controversial or dissenting views. A request for comment from Kearsarge school officials was not immediately answered. In a separate lawsuit filed last year, Beth Scaer and her husband, Stephen, claimed their free speech rights were violated after they applied to fly two different flags, a pro-life flag and a Pine Tree flag on flagpoles at City Hall Plaza in Nashua. A federal judge ruled Nashua officials didn't violate the couple's First Amendment rights when they rejected their application, denying their request for a preliminary injunction. The Scaers are appealing that decision. pfeely@
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Yahoo
Asbury University students train horses to serve across the nation
WILMORE, Ky. (FOX 56) — Police department-mounted units across the nation are looking to Asbury University for their next service mounts. Students play a big role in making this happen. From March 6-8, Asbury University is hosting the Service Mounts Police Training clinic, which is being used to have the out-of-state police departments bond with the horses that will serve alongside them. Greg Mastin is a sergeant with the Scottsdale Police Department mounted patrol, bonding with the horse, Owen. Mastin made the trip from Arizona to get Owen ready to serve with his department. Charges pending following reported rape, strangulation of Asbury student Asbury University students train horses to serve across the nation FBI Louisville warns of rise in 'violent' networks targeting minors online 'We were super impressed with the program the first time I came out. The facilities, learning about the whole process of getting a horse when they're basically a baby, raising and training them to do the specific things we need them to do as police officers,' Mastin said. Horses that go on to be part of mounted patrol units will serve alongside the department in any way they need, like community outreach and events. The clinic gives these officers the chance to see how students like Kaia Chesbro have trained them for these roles. Chesbro is a senior at Asbury University and a trainer for the service mount program. 'It's been absolutely incredible and life-changing. I came to Asbury with some horse experience, but mostly riding and showing. However, coming to Asbury, I've been able to learn so much about training horses and what it takes to be a good trainer versus just being a good rider,' Chesbro said. Elizabeth Guthrie is the equine director at Asbury. Guthrie said she envisioned what it would be like for officers to meet these Kentucky horses face-to-face as they prepare to serve. Asbury launches Bachelor of Science in nursing program 'They've gone everywhere from parades in New York City to marches for suicide awareness, so I think it's just special to get to have horses that are going into service in that way,' Guthrie said. 'I really wanted to open up that space for the officers to come. I'm grateful that they took the time to fly across the country and get to know our horses a little bit better.' Just like they would with human officers, this moment is for learning these horses' personalities and quirks. Mastin said this is a dream job, especially because it involves getting to know Owen as one of his teammates. Read more of the latest Lexington & central Kentucky news 'Anytime you meet a new horse, they have a personality just like a person does. He's very reminiscent of some of our other horses at home. He's slightly lazy, but he's very cuddly and loveable. He'll do the things you ask him to. You just have to ask the right way,' Mastin said. When the training is complete, the horses will go all over the country with their new police units in April. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT #362 October 27, 2010
SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT #362 October 27, 2010 The October 27, 2010 regular meeting of the School Board was called to order by Chair Doug Franz at 7:00 p.m. with all members present . Motion by Imhof, seconded by Mastin, and carried unanimously to approve the agenda: The school recognized Students of the Month for September: Jr. High – Garrett Nuthak, Sr. High – Paige Delack Enrollment update; Dental Insurance update; Sports update; Lunch Program Recognition -Kathy Siltman; Update on student trip to see the President. Public Forum: None Motion by Gray , seconded by Knaeble, and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the September 15th regular meeting. Motion by Imhof, seconded by Mastin, and carried unanimously to approve the invoices in the amount of $ 152,376.86. Motion by Mastin, seconded by Knaeble, and carried unanimously to approve the treasurer's report. Motion by Gray, seconded by Knaeble, and carried unanimously to approve the consent agenda: A. Hire Beth Bachmeier – HS Phy Ed/Health .17 fte B. Hire Sara Kennedy – HS English .17 fte C. Hire Marc Windsnes – HS Social .17 fte D. Hire Lisa Reller – Bus Driver E. Hire Prom Advisor – Trina Little F. Hire Winter Concessions Manager – Heidi Vork G. Hire John Larson – Head Girls Basketball coach Motion by Mastin, seconded by Gray, and carried unanimously to adopt a resolution to support the district application to MN State High School League Foundation. Motion by Imhof, seconded by Knaeble, and carried unanimously to approve the Assurance of Compliance Prohibiting Discrimination. Motion by Imhof, seconded by Gray, and carried unanimously to call a special meeting Nov. 10, 2010, 7:00 p.m. to: A. Canvass Election Returns B. One-Day Bond Resolution Motion by Nelson, seconded by Imhof, and carried unanimously to direct the Superintendent to appoint an assistant girls basketball coach if position is not filled before the season begins. Rachel's Challenge overview given by Angie Williams. Motion by Mastin, seconded by Gray, and carried unanimously to go forward with getting the program here. The Reports contained the following: A. Nutrition Committee update by Superintendent. Motion by Franz, seconded by Nelson, and carried unanimously to temporarily suspend the policy on meal charging. Motion by Mastin, seconded by Imhof, and carried unanimously to adjourn at 7:45 p.m. Monte Nelson, Clerk The Journal December 4, 2010
