White County controversy spills over to legislature, state school board

ATLANTA - The controversy over aborted efforts to form a Gay-Straight Alliance at White County High School has spilled over to the state Legislature and the state Board of Education

A rule before the state Board of Education was proposed by state schools superintendent Kathy Cox at the request of lawmakers who have tried unsuccessfully for several years to squelch gay student support groups that are popping up in Georgia high schools.

If the rule is approved by the state board, any student who wants to take part in any school-related club or after-school activity will need written permission from his or her parents.

The father of the girl at the heart of the White County controversy calls the effort "mean-spirited."