Regional School Unit 1 has policy to ignore parents if they disagree with their children identifying as transgender at school; will keep gender identity of students hidden from parents

Parents Defending Education submitted a public records request to Regional School Unit 1 seeking any guidance on transgender issues. The district provided PDE with a policy titled “Transgender and Gender Expansive Students Guidelines.” This policy explicitly states that parents will be ignored if they disagree with their children identifying as transgender:

In the event that a student and their parent or legal guardian do not agree with regard to the student’s gender identity or gender expression, the educational institution shall abide by the wishes of the student with regard to their gender identity and gender expression while at school.

The policy then states that the gender identity of students can be hidden from parents: “The district shall ensure that student records are kept confidential in accordance with applicable state, local and federal privacy laws. School staff shall comply with the student’s wishes regarding disclosure of their transgender and/or gender expansive identity to others, including but not limited to parents or guardians, students, volunteers or other school staff, unless the student has explicitly authorized the disclosure or unless legally required to do so.”

Staff and students are mandated to use the preferred pronouns of other students: “Students shall be addressed by school staff and other students by the name and pronouns corresponding to their gender identity as asserted at the educational institution.” Students are allowed to use the restrooms and locker rooms that match their preferred gender identity.

The district also provided PDE with a “Transgender Student Plan” for students.