Champlain Valley School District adopts policy to keep gender identity of students hidden from parents

The Champlain Valley School District has a policy titled “Transgender and Nonbinary Students Policy” that was adopted on October 17, 2023. This policy explicitly states that parents can be left in the dark regarding the gender identity of their children: “The school will work closely with the student and their caregivers (when appropriate) in devising a plan regarding the confidentiality of a student’s gender identity that is safe and affirming while meeting competing legal requirements.” The policy then reiterates this point:

A school can best support a transgender or nonbinary student by involving the student regarding how and what information about the student is shared within the school, and between the school and the student’s home. Schools will develop a plan for information-sharing that supports the student, while balancing a parent’s right to information. To the extent possible and consistent with all competing legal requirements, school personnel will endeavor throughout to maintain the confidentiality of the student’s gender identity.

Teachers are also mandated to use the preferred pronouns of students: “In addition, school staff will respect any requests to use a name and pronoun that corresponds to the student’s gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on the student’s records.”

Students are allowed to use the restrooms and locker rooms and participate in sports according to their preferred gender identity.