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Meeting Date:
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10/7/2021 - 6:30 PM
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Category:
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Consent Calendar
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Type:
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Action
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Subject:
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Policy Revisions re: Treatment of Transgender Students
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ACPS 2025 Strategic Plan Goal:
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Goal 3: Student Accessibility and Support ACPS will ensure students have equitable access to and engagement with programs and supports that reduce barriers to learning. Goal 1: Systemic Alignment ACPS will build a culture of continuous improvement and design equitable systems for school and instructional improvement. Goal 5: Family and Community Engagement ACPS will ensure that all families and community members feel welcomed, respected, and valued.
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Funding Source or Fiscal Impact (where applicable)
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File Attachment:
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Agenda Item Summary:
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Several School Board policy and regulatory revisions were proposed at the September 23, 2021 Board Meeting reflecting the Virginia Department of Education’s (VDOE’s) Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools (“Model Policies”). These were developed in response to the amendment of Va. Code § 221.-23.3 by the Virginia General Assembly. The proposed revisions are compiled from the following policy manual classifications:
G Policies: Personnel
I Policies: Instructional Program
J Policies: Students
These revisions highlight eight common issues, identified in the legislation, regarding the treatment of transgender students. They are required to be addressed by School Board policies at the beginning of the 2021-22 school year, in a manner that is consistent with the Model Policies. They are:
1. Compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws;
2. Maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students;
3. Prevention of and response to bullying and harassment;
4. Maintenance of student records;
5. Identification of students;
6. Protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information;
7. Enforcement of sex-based dress codes; and
8. Student participation in sex-specific school activities and events and use of school facilities. (“Activities and events” do not include athletics.)
POLICY REVISIONS REFLECTING VA. CODE § 22.1-23.3 & VDOE’S MODEL POLICIES
GCL
IGDA
IICA-R
JB
JFC-R
JO
JOA
JOA-R
JR
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Background:
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Va. Code § 221.-23.3 requires each school board in Virginia to adopt policies that are consistent with, and which may be more comprehensive than, the VDOE Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools at the beginning of the 2021-22 school year.
As stated in the introduction to the Model Policies,
“In June 2020, an advisory committee was formed to review model policies, local policies throughout the nation, and resources pertaining to the treatment of transgender students in public schools. The committee included school-based personnel representing diverse Superintendent’s Regions and disciplines, representatives from state professional associations, parent representatives, student representatives, representatives from advocacy organizations, and specialists from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). The development of these model policies is a result of consultation and collaboration with multiple stakeholders throughout the Commonwealth with a variety of backgrounds and expertise.” (Model Policies, p. 5.)
The Model Policies define “transgender” as:
“A self-identifying term that describes a person whose gender identity is different from their sex assigned at birth. A transgender girl is a girl who was presumed to be male when she was born, and a transgender boy is a boy who was presumed to be female when he was born. Note that there is a wide range of gender identities in addition to transgender male and transgender female, such as nonbinary.” (Model Policies, p. 7.)
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Recommendation:
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The Superintendent recommends that the School Board approve the policy and regulatory revisions regarding the treatment of transgender students.
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Approvals:
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Recommended By:
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Signed By:
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Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. - Superintendent
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Vote Results:
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| Original Motion | | Member Ramee A. Gentry Moved, Member Christopher A. Suarez seconded to approve the Original motion 'The Superintendent recommends that the School Board approve the policy and regulatory revisions regarding the treatment of transgender students.'. Upon a Roll-Call Vote being taken, the vote was: Aye: 9 Nay: 0. | | The motion Carried 9 - 0 | | | | | Ramee A. Gentry | Yes | | Margaret Lorber | Yes | | Cindy Anderson | Yes | | Veronica R. Nolan | Yes | | Meagan L. Alderton | Yes | | Christopher A. Suarez | Yes | | Jacinta Greene | Yes | | Dr. Michelle Rief | Yes | | Heather Thornton | Yes | |
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