Small tweak suggested for SD76’s gender/sexual orientation policy

SD76 trustee Carolyn Freeman tabled her summary report Tuesday of the past two months of consultations she and other members of the district’s policy body undertook with local parent councils regarding Policy 622, the district’s sexual orientation and gender policy for students.

Freeman’s report recommended the SD76 board of trustees adopt two amendments reflecting concerns and feedback received from local parents on the current policy, which was adopted despite the vocal objections of some in the community in 2016.

The first proposed amendment to Policy 622 reads:

“When a student discloses, staff will encourage, without coercion, the student to communicate with their parents/guardians and seek their support.”

The second proposed amendment reads:

“All future amendments to this policy shall be in accordance with the existing policy amendment procedures.”

Freeman’s report also suggested other associated policies be amended to provide greater help for students’ mental and emotional stress when they choose to come out, and to review training protocols for teachers to ensure they can better support these students.

Freeman’s report further recommended SD76 continue to not disclose to parents if their child has joined a GayStraight Alliance support group in schools, thus ensuring SD76 remains in compliance with provincial legislation, and “to ensure the privacy and safety of all students.”

The report did however, emphasize parents and guardians would have to give consent if their child’s mental or emotional well-being needed to be referred to “outside agencies.”

The board of trustees will vote on the two proposed amendments at the May public meeting.