Hazelwood School District has policy that appears to explain that the gender identity of some students can be hidden from parents

Parents Defending Education submitted a public records request to the Hazelwood School District seeking any guidance from the district regarding transgender issues. The school district provided PDE with a policy titled “Transgender Students” that appears to explain that in some circumstances the gender identity of students can be hidden from their parents. The policy explicitly mentions possibly bringing in the district’s attorney in some cases:

In general, the district will only consider accommodations requested or discussed with the student’s parents/guardians. However, the district may provide accommodations to a student without the consent of the parents/guardians if the student is 18 or older, is not dependent upon his or her parents/guardians or is determined by the district, after consulting the district’s attorney, to have a legal entitlement to accommodations.

Staff are also mandated to use the preferred pronouns of students: “Upon request, district staff will address a transgender student using the student’s preferred name, if different than the legal name, and will refer to the student using the pronouns the student prefers.” Students are allowed to use the restrooms and locker rooms that match their preferred gender identity.

Staff will participate in training “on the district’s obligations to accommodate transgender students.” The policy further explains that “students who are taught about illegal discrimination and harassment as part of an approved course curriculum may also be provided information about legal obligations to accommodate transgender persons.”