Member of Anoka-Hennepin anti-bullying board under fire

A group of Anoka-Hennepin residents will submit a petition to the school board Monday seeking removal of a member of its expanded Anti-Bullying Task Force.

Bryan Lindquist is among 26 parents, students, staff and faculty members appointed in mid-October to help the district shape policy on school climate. Its expansion beyond district staff was required to settle a federal lawsuit filed against the district last year. Six students sued the district, claiming that their reports of persistent and severe bullying and harassment were not adequately addressed.

The petition, which had nearly 2,400 names by Wednesday afternoon, said Lindquist, of Ramsey, "uses his personal faith as a weapon and represents the anti-LGBTQ bigotry that is STILL hurting kids in our district."