Haverford OKs rules to make schools more trans-friendly

HAVERFORD » School directors voted unanimously at a recent meeting to adopt new policy created for the purpose of protecting rights and meeting needs of gender expansive and transgender students.

Developed by a district-wide Inclusivity Committee in collaboration with psychologist Jeanne Stanley, Board Policy 259, Ensuring Equity and Non-discrimination for Gender Expansive and Transgender Students, affirms Haverford’s commitment to providing “a safe, supportive and inclusive learning environment for all students and employees,” with equal access to educational programs and activities. Policy articulates the board’s support for ensuring that gender expansive and transgender students “are provided such equal opportunity and access to programs, services and activities.”

Also approved was an accompanying set of administrative regulations offering guidance to district staff “regarding issues relating to gender expansive and transgender individuals in order to create and maintain a safe and supportive environment for all.”

These guidelines, posted in their entirety on the district’s website, address privacy and confidentiality, official and unofficial records, use of names and pronouns, dress code, participation in sports, athletics and programs, as well as locker room and restroom access, student safety, and more.

Some key points state that students have the right to be addressed by the name and pronoun corresponding to their gender identity, and to dress in accordance with their gender identity, within established constraints.

While the district must use a child’s legal name on official records, a student’s chosen name may now appear on unofficial records, such as ID cards, rosters, diplomas, directories and yearbooks.

Additionally, regulations state that where separate restroom facilities for male and female students exist, gender expansive and transgender students should have access to the restroom corresponding to their gender identity. Any student requesting increased privacy will be provided with a reasonable alternative, such as a single-stall restroom, if possible.

Administrators have been authorized to designate gender neutral single-stall restrooms in buildings.

Similarly, gender expansive and transgender students would have access to locker room facilities corresponding to their gender identity. Any student requiring increased privacy should be afforded “access to a reasonable accommodation.”

Participation in sports, athletic teams and competitions will be “conducted in a manner consistent with the student’s gender identity.”

Additionally, all adults in the school system will receive training on how to prevent, identify and respond to harassment and discrimination. Information about gender expansive and transgender students will be incorporated into staff professional development, as well as students’ developmental guidance and health curriculum, regulations state.

Also provided is a list of definitions for relevant terms. Gender identity is defined, for example, as “a person’s innermost concept of self as male, female, a combination of both, or neither.” Gender expansive “conveys a wider, more flexible range of gender identity and/or gender expression than typically associated with the binary gender (male/female) system.”

School directors received a round of applause following the vote from members of the Havertown Community Action Network, who called the matter to the board’s attention in March.

Network member Jean Lutes said the new policy makes explicit the district’s “commitment to inclusion for transgender students, and the proposed regulations offer specific guidance that will make Haverford an even better place for our children to learn.”

Main Line Youth Alliance board president Joanne Glusman said she was personally and professionally appreciative. This work literally saves lives, Glusman said.

In other highlights of the meeting, Mila Hayes, member services manager for the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, was joined by school director/PSBA board member Larry Feinberg in presenting PSBA’s Honor Roll of School Board Service Award to Russell Bilotta, James Goldschmidt and Phil Hopkins, board members for 16, 20 and 24 years, respectively.

Superintendent Maureen Reusche also recognized Bilotta and Goldschmidt as outgoing school board members, in addition to president Denis Gray.

Goldschmidt did not seek another term, while Gray and Bilotta were unseated in an Election Day shake-up. Gray joined the board in 1996 and served as president since 1999.

School director Kimberly Allen-Stuck thanked all three for “not only being great leaders, but for being role models, for showing board members how to do this with class and respect for everyone ... We will continue the good work you’ve taught us to do. We will continue to be student-centered, district-centered, focused on making this the best district it can be.”

Also honored for 25 years of service in education were staff members Cynthia Scanlan, Debbi Molnar, Jim Jensen and Mary Jane Petruzzo.

The board will hold its annual reorganization meeting 6 p.m., Dec. 4.