Rapid City school board of education members later this month could consider including sexual orientation in its nondiscrimination policy.

Some board members have said that the district's current policy, which says it will not discriminate against people with "other human differences," is actually code for "sexual orientation."

"Let's not parse words here - let's just say what we really mean," board member Bret Swanson, said in an interview Wednesday. "I though it should be written to include sexual orientation."

The district's current policy said in its dealing with staff, students and the public, it will not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, gender, religion, national background, handicap and other human differences.

The school board Tuesday night was set to approve a third reading of a revision to that policy that added pregnancy and student marital status to the list.

Assistant superintendent Katie Bray explained at an earlier meeting that the change was recommended as part of the accreditation process through the state.

But board members voted against the policy - 4 to 3 - with some of the board members saying they would like to talk more about changing the "other human differences" wording.

Board president Wes Storm said he voted against Tuesday night's policy - which only included pregnancy and student marital status to the list - because he didn't feel the members had discussed it enough.

"I thought it might be better to take another run at it and do it when everybody is comfortable with it," he said.

It's not the first time local elected officials have grappled with the question of whether or not to include sexual orientation in public policy.

In January, the Rapid City Council talked about extending its anti-discrimination policy to include gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and trans-gendered individuals. But City Attorney Jason Green advised against it because it exceeded discrimination laws set by state and federal governments and said additional protected classes could cost the city more money in defending possible future discrimination lawsuits.

Currently, those laws ban discrimination based on race, color, sex, creed, religion, ancestry, disability, familial status or national origin. Right now, state and federal law doesn't include sexual orientation or gender identity as protected classes.

School districts across the state have taken different approaches on the issue. The Sioux Falls and Douglas school districts do include the wording in their non-discrimination policies. Sturgis and Custer school districts do not, but Custer does include the term in its hate crimes and harassment policies.

The Rapid City school board is expected to reconsider the revised nondiscrimination policy at its Aug. 20 meeting. Because of the additional wording, it will be the first reading and must go through three readings for final approval.

It could be controversial, Swanson said.

"If it causes a fuss, we'll try to be prepared for it," he said.

Contact Kayla Gahagan at 394-8410 or kayla.gahagan@rapidcityjournal.com