STAFFORD — Residents filled 70 minutes of citizen comment time at the School Board meeting on Tuesday. They spoke about the proposed Gender Identity and Expression policy drafted by Stafford Public Schools Superintendent Scott Kizner regarding transgender students.
It’s in response to an incident in October when a Stafford County middle school when a transgender student was reportedly unable to take refuge in locker rooms during an active shooter safety drill. While the drafted policy is in part a follow-up to this issue, transgender policies have been discussed in Stafford in recent years.
“The reason why we are here is not because of what happened a couple months ago, but we should not forget that this policy is finally giving what we heard that night some clarity,”
er said. “It should not be dependent on a particular principal or teacher on how we address this crowd. It should be consistent and standardized throughout the school division. I think this policy is more geared towards helping the staff understand their roles and responsibilities.”
The new policy outlines procedures for transgender students that allows them to use the bathroom of their gender identity. For students who feel uncomfortable with using the same facilities as the transgender student, school counselors will be made available to talk to the student, according to the proposed policy.
Sixteen speakers supported the new policy, and seven speakers were against the new policy.
School Board members commended Hannah Bradley, the sister of a transgender student for her speech who spoke during citizens time. Elected officials referenced her statement throughout the meeting.
“I am standing up for my sister,” Bradley said. “My big sister is amazing and so great. What doesn’t make me happy is her not feeling as safe or comfortable in school as me just because she is transgender. Love is love. People are people. Please protect my big sister.”
Bill Johnson, secretary of the Stafford Democratic Committee, presented the board with a letter from Joshua Cole, a preacher, and one-time candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates.
“We are all equally free and should have the ability to express ourselves the way we want to be happy,” Cole said. “I urge you to pass this resolution for the equality and equitability of our students. As a local religious leader, I must also urge you that if this resolution constrains you or makes you uncomfortable, pray for our students instead of demonizing them and throwing your faith in their face.”
Several residents expressed their concerns over the new policy.
“I absolutely object to the forced situation where the potential of my children’s exposure to the anatomy of the opposite sex is created and my young children are faced with the decision of removing themselves from the facilities intended and designed with their anatomy and privacy in mind,” Thomas Taylor said. “This is taking inclusion to a different level that circumvents the parent’s ability to determine the suitability of exposure for their children in the hands of taxpayer-funded institutions.”
Some argued that Kizner’s policy is unnecessary for young children and gives education centers too much of a parental role.
“Children are very impressionable at this age,” Mike Sheppard said. “While I don’t condone persecution or discrimination of any kind, all that’s necessary for the triumph of evil is good people to stand behind it. I think this is something you [the Board] need to take a step back from and take a major look at. It’s not just about bathrooms and locker rooms.”
School Board reacts
The School Board reviewed the draft policy as an information-only item on Tuesday’s agenda, giving Board members a chance to comment. The School Board had been slated to take a vote on whether or not to implement the new policy in January, however that vote could be delayed as Board members said they need more feedback from the public on the matter.
“Great discussion tonight,” said Dewayne McOsker, George Washington District. “Both sides have awesome points. Keep the comments coming. It takes a team to make these hard decisions.”
One concern from the Board focused on unspecific phrases such as the repeat of the word “should” instead of “shall” that makes it unclear how to apply the policy.
The policy is still in its very early stages of development. School administrators have not been contacted for their views on the new policy, and there is still a need for greater community input.
“Teachers and administrators are the ones that are on the front lines,” said Holly Hazard, Hartwood District. “It is not me that is going to be at the school when something comes up. They may be able to instruct us on how they believe things should go.”
Kizner provided a defense for his policy and explained the motivations behind drafting it.
“I recognize that this is not an easy topic for many communities,” Kizner said. “I respect the comments and opinions that I have already heard from many of you and those I intend to hear. As Superintendent, I took an oath to follow the laws which include prohibiting harassment and discrimination of any type. As an educational leader, I have a responsibility to raise concerns and provide solutions when I feel harassment and discrimination has or may occur.”
As for the future of this policy, the Board has mentioned possibly holding a public hearing to get more input from residents.
