Following months of deliberation on the use of basic amenities and their pronoun, the Gardner-Edgerton School board updated its policies on transgender students.
Board members Lana Sutton, Tom Reddin, Jeff Miller, Nick Robinson and Russ Ellis voted in favor of the policy while Katie Williams and Greg Chapman disagreed with the new set of rules for transgender students.
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Under the new policy that was approved after the school board voted 5-2, the students will only be able to use locker rooms and bathrooms corresponding to their sex at birth as well. Along the lines of participation in sex-specific activities, the board mentioned that the child will only be allowed to participate in activities corresponding to their sex at birth. Moreover, the board with the permission of the childs’ parents will have their name or pronoun changed. The staff has been instructed to maintain confidentiality on gender status unless they give permission to disclosure.
The policy that was proposed by school board member Jeff Miller in July was deliberated upon amongst dozens of parents who expressed concern on their childs’ social life, community members and students in September based on which the amendment was announced.
Attempts were also made by the board to possibly remodel certain restrooms to accommodate the policy change. By the end of November, the school will have five unisex restrooms for any student who wants an exception. The policy strictly warned of punishment for violation of rules under the new policy.
