Parental advocacy group raises concern over CCS preferred pronoun policy

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Members of a national advocacy group for parents are concerned about a Columbus City Schools policy regarding student's gender identities.

The group is called Parents Defending Education (PDE), and they are concerned the district's "Transgender and Gender Variant Students" policy is taking power away from parents. The policy requires staff to use students' preferred pronouns--parents are informed, but they have no say in the matter.

ABC6 News is looking into the issue.

Erika Sanzi with PDE says the district could be leaving parents out of vital decisions for their children.

The school is overstepping," Sanzi said. "It seems like the moment a minor says, 'I'm a boy, I'm a girl, I'm neither,' that there's suddenly adults jumping in to participate in this delusion."

A CCS policy put into place in 2022 was flagged by the group not long ago after they filed a public records request asking for any policies mentioning transgender students. They received a copy of that policy, which states staff are required to use students' preferred pronouns. It lists "they" and "them" as examples.

The fact that they leave room to keep pushing on the issue with parents, after the parents have said 'no', that is a problem," said Sanzi. "I'm not going to accept that protecting students looks like withholding information from their parents."

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Sanzi says she believes the policy is vague and that the district is undermining parental authority.

The policy does require the school to involve parents in discussions about gender identity. If a parent disagrees with a student's preference, the policy says they're to work to find a "mutually agreeable solution" with the parents.

Densil Porteous with Stonewall Columbus is in support of this policy and the kids who clearly define their pronouns. However, Porteous says the conversation with the parents is important, too.

It is a sensitive conversation," Porteous said. "We understand not affirming someone's identity can cause detriment to their development."

Porteous believes the conversation between a student, parent and school leaders is essential to foster a comfortable environment.

If there's challenges, sort of between the conflict of what a young person and a parent says, this should open up a space of dialogue that could be facilitated by the public schools," Porteous said.

ABC6 News reached out to CCS leaders; while the superintendent was not available for an interview, a spokesperson shared the following statement:

Columbus City Schools is committed to fostering a safe and supportive environment for all students, including those who have requested gender identity accommodations. The District is committed to work closely with transgender and gender nonconforming students, their guardians and families to provide learning spaces that are welcoming and enriching. When students and families feel empowered in their identity, it positively impacts school campuses and the community as a whole.

Parents are a vital component in this process and are not disregarded. According to the district’s policy, if a request is made, a meeting is set with the student and parent or guardian. During this time, the request is reviewed along with other needs that may arise in conjunction with the request. According to Board Policy No. 5517.02, 'In situations where the parent/guardian is opposed to any name or pronoun usage changes, school staff will continue to work with families and students in an effort to arrive at a mutually agreeable solution. Parents/guardians must be informed of any name or pronoun usage changes.'"