Jamestown School Department has policy to keep gender identity of students hidden from parents

The Jamestown School Department has a policy in place titled “Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students Policy.” The policy explicitly states that the gender identity of students should be hidden from parents: “District staff may not disclose information that may reveal a student’s transgender status or gender nonconforming presentation to others, including, but not limited to, parents, students, volunteers, or other district staff, unless legally required to do so, or unless the student has explicitly authorized such disclosure.” The policy then states:

District staff should privately ask transgender or gender nonconforming students at the beginning of the school year how they want to be addressed in class, in correspondence to the home, or at conferences with the student’s parent(s) or guardian.

The policy further explains: “Prior to notification of any parent/guardian regarding the transition process, school staff should work closely with the student to assess the degree to which, if any, the parent/guardian will be involved in the process and must consider the health, well-being, and safety of the transitioning student.”

Staff are mandated to use the preferred pronouns of students: “Students have the right to be addressed by a name and pronoun that corresponds to the student’s gender identity.” Students are allowed to use the restrooms and locker rooms as well as participate in sports according to their preferred gender identity.