COLUMBUS, Ohio — A member of the State Board of Education says she wants to amend Ohio public schools’ operating policies to prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Board member Stephanie Dodd said Thursday she will introduce the amendment for the entire board’s approval when the panel meets Tuesday in Columbus.

She said the action is well within the board’s authority.

Dodd said in a statement that banning this kind of discrimination is “common sense for folks on both sides of the political aisle.”

She pointed to a recent survey showing that a majority of voters are in favor of laws protecting gay and lesbian people from discrimination.

Dodd was joined at a news conference Thursday by a career teacher who said she suffered discrimination because she is gay.

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