Dom Giordano, WPHT host and former teacher, has dedicated much of his daily show toward parents who are taking it into their own hands to push back against school boards that have a negative impact on their children. This has culminated in a weekly podcast on education, Readin', Writin', and Reason, which has allowed wonderful relationships to develop between Giordano, educators, and parents throughout the country who are speaking out against overbearing school boards.
First, Dom Giordano welcomes in Lindsie Rank, Student Press Council at FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression), to hear about a situation unfolding at Conestoga High School. Since the early 1960’s, every year, the student newspaper, The SPOKE, would publish a ‘destination map,’ that would show where graduates are going to college. This year, after a student complaint, the district has threatened to remove funding for the paper if they publish the map again. The district argues that this is in an effort to promote equity, but Rank explains the implications on the First Amendment that such a demand holds. Rank explains how students are pushing back, and explains how and why this is another case of censorship in schools in the guise of equity.
Then, IDom welcomes in Steve Feldman, Greater Philadelphia Director of the Zionist Organization of America, back onto the Dom Giordano Program to discuss a concerning event that took place at Gladwynne Elementary in the Lower Merion School District. In late March, the school had a Cultural Heritage Night, and featured a display for Palestine, which included Palestine Liberation Organization flags, assertions that Jerusalem is the capitol of Palestine, and other anti-Israel and anti-Semitic propaganda. Feldman explains what he hopes the Lower Merion School District will do to remediate the situation, and tells listeners how they can help the Zionist Organization of America. Then, Dom hears from Joan Cullen, board member at Pennridge School District, who called in to discuss a Philadelphia Inquirer article about her District’s 7-1 vote that would prevent students from using restrooms, locker rooms, and showers designated for the opposite sex.