Somersworth School District has policy that appears to state students can make decisions regarding gender identity on their own

Parents Defending Education submitted a public records request to the Somersworth School District seeking any guidance on transgender issues. The district provided PDE with two policies. The first is titled “Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Students.” The policy states that procedures for a student identifying as transgender must be “approved by both the student and the parent(s) or legal guardian(s).”

However, the policy does state that students are allowed to participate in sports according to their preferred gender identity. The policy also states: “In no case shall a transgender student be required to use a locker room and restroom that conflicts with the student’s gender identity.”

The second policy the district has is titled “Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Student Support Procedure.” This policy does appear to explain that students can make decisions on their own by stating either students “or” parents can make decisions. The policy states: “A transgender student and/or their parent(s)/guardian(s) should contact the student’s school counselor or building administrator.”

This policy mandates that staff and students use the preferred pronouns of other students: “A student who has been identified as transgender or gender non-conforming under this policy will be addressed by school staff and other students by the name and gender identity as identified in the student’s plan.” Students are also allowed to use the restrooms and locker rooms that match their preferred gender identity.