Caldwell School District drafting new policy to keep gender identity of students secret from parents; will mandate teachers to use preferred pronouns of students or face “discipline”
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The School Board of Caldwell School District is in the process of drafting a policy titled “Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation.” At the January 9, 2023, meeting, the School Board brought the policy up for discussion. The drafted policy discusses a “planning team” for students transitioning to another gender that “refers to the student, parent(s)/guardian(s), school administration, and counselor who will work together to develop a plan in the best interest of the student.” This “plan” will “be developed in the best interest of the student, and will be signed by all parties involved, noting the consensus, and any dissenting opinions.”
In some cases, the drafted policy explains that parents may not need to be involved in the transitioning process at school for their children. The drafted policy explains: “If the student is an emancipated youth, unaccompanied youth, or is of legal age, the student shall request to meet with the principal or building administration.” Previous language that stated “parents or student” was marked out and changed.
The drafted policy still mandates for teachers to ensure that parents who don’t know about their children’s gender identity do not find out. The policy explains:
When contacting the parent/guardian of a transgender student, school personnel should use the student’s legal name and the pronoun corresponding to the student’s gender assigned at birth unless determined by a previously developed plan.
The drafted policy explains that students can use the restrooms and locker rooms of their preferred gender identity. Students can also participate in overnight field trips in accordance with their preferred gender identity. The drafted policy additionally mandates that teachers and district staff use the preferred pronouns and names of students. Employees will be punished for refusing: “Intentional and persistent refusal to use the name and gender by which the student identifies is a violation of this policy and may subject an employee to discipline.”
The district may also provide transgender training for teachers, students, and parents: “The District may conduct staff development or awareness activities for students or parents on transgender issues or gender diversity.”
Below is a video of a state senator speaking at the January 9th meeting:
The push for Idaho schools to adopt this kind of gender policy started as far back as 2015 with a policy recommendation from the Idaho School Boards Association. (See documents in second tweet.)
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