Concord School District does not require parental consent to allow students to identify as another gender

Parents Defending Education submitted a public records request to the Concord School District seeking any guidance from the district regarding transgender issues. The district provided PDE with a policy titled “Transgender and Gender Non-conforming Students.” The policy appears to explain that students can make decisions regarding gender identity issues without parental consent. The policy explains that students “or” parents can bring the issue up: “If a Gender Support and Transition Plan is desired by the student and/or their parent or guardian, they should contact the student’s counselor or the school psychologist to schedule a meeting to discuss a student’s particular circumstances through creation of a Gender Support and Transition Plan.” The policy continues to explain:

Once a request has been made by a student or their parent/guardian to create a Gender Support and Transition Plan, a meeting should be scheduled within (30) calendar days.

The policy also appears to mandate staff to use the preferred pronouns of students: “All students should be addressed by the name and pronoun that corresponds to their gender identity, i.e., their preferred name.” Students are also allowed to use the restrooms and locker rooms as well as participate in sports according to their preferred gender identity.

The district also provided PDE with slides that explicitly state that the gender identity of students can be hidden from parents. One slide states: “The District will not require parental/guardian consent to identify a student by their preferred name & pronoun in school.” The district further explains: “Encourage and support students in disclosing their gender status to their parent/guardian when ready unless there is a risk of harm to the student by disclosing.”

The district additionally provided PDE with a “Gender Support Plan” directly from Gender Spectrum. The organization Gender Spectrum is known for targeting schools and children with LGBTQ issues. This form asks: “Are guardian(s) of this student aware and supportive of their child’s gender transition?”