Late last week, Youngkin (R) directed all 133 school districts in the state to adopt new “model policies” after a comment period. These would require transgender students to have access to school facilities and programs that match their birth gender. The state will also require families to submit legal documentation if they want to let their children change their name or gender in official school records. Teachers and other school personnel may not refer to a student by a different name or pronoun unless parents request the change in writing. Early reaction from school leaders suggests that while much of the state may comply with the mandate, Youngkin is likely to face resistance from more liberal quarters. Already, there is talk of a lawsuit challenging the provision, with opponents arguing it violates the Virginia Human Rights Act, which protects people in public places, including schools, from discrimination based on gender identity. The Washington Post sought comment from every school district in the state, and most had no initial comment. But in Northern Virginia, the initial response from several districts was strongly negative. Virginia policy latest attempt to curtail rights of transgender students Alexandria City Public Schools leaders vowed to maintain their commitment to “gender-affirming policies” for all students. “We are concerned about these ‘model policies’ which do not align with our mission, vision and core values of supporting all students and staff, particularly our core value of ensuring we provide a welcoming environment for all at school our community. said a letter to staff and families from the district’s school board president, Meagan L. Alderton, and interim superintendent of schools, Melanie Kay-Wyatt. Falls Church City Public Schools also suggested it might fight back. In a statement to the community, leaders said they wanted to “reassure our community that we value and support every student who is responsible.” They wrote that the district is committed to following the Virginia Human Rights Act and case law that require “respecting the gender identity of transgender students like any other student.” A similar statement came from Arlington Public Schools, along with a link to resources for LGBTQ youth and assurances that existing nondiscrimination policies remain in place. Other districts said they were awaiting further guidance from the state, and some suggested they would comply with whatever guidance is issued. “Pulaski County Public Schools maintains a position to always comply with state law and incorporate policies and procedures as directed by the Virginia Department of Education,” said Kevin W. Siers, superintendent for the district. “That’s how we arrived at our current policy and the guiding principle by which we will make future adjustments.” The new policy is a reversal of a national order put in place just two years ago by Youngkin’s Democratic predecessor, Gov. Ralph Northam. His version stipulated that transgender students would have access to restrooms, locker rooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity. The guidelines also mandated that schools allow transgender students to participate in school programs that match their gender identity and required districts and teachers to accept and use students’ pronouns and gender identity without question. Culpeper County Public Schools said the district already complies with the new rules and never adopted Northam’s guidelines in the first place. Department Principal Anthony S. Brads said in an email that teachers and staff must refer to students by the names and pronouns listed on class lists, and that if a family wants to change that, the student and at least a parent must make a request to the school principal. She said transgender students have access to the bathroom if they “consistently and honestly present as their gender” and if this is confirmed by at least one parent or legal guardian. “We believe that in such an important decision, children need parental permission,” added Russell Houck, executive director of student services at Culpeper. “We cannot take students on field trips, take medication at school or be on a sports team without written parental consent.” He said it was not fair for teachers to expect them to call a student by one name in class and refer to them by another when talking to parents. If students are afraid to talk to their parents about their identity, she said, the school can help prepare them for that conversation. “We believe that almost all parents, when given time to process things and learn more about gender dysphoria, will lovingly support their child because that has been our experience.” A Stafford County Public Schools official, James Stemple, said his district already requires a gender support plan for transgender students, which must be initiated by parents or guardians. And a spokesman for Chesapeake Public Schools said the district is reviewing the new guidance and “will present proposed amendments for Board approval if warranted.” In Martinsville Public Schools, spokeswoman Callie Hietala said the district allows transgender students to use school facilities and participate in gender-appropriate sports and that teachers use students’ preferred names and pronouns. Students can initiate changes to their names or pronouns, and teachers are not required to tell parents if this happens. It didn’t show what happens next. “Whether or not our current policies change is a matter for our school board to decide,” he said. “We will abide by the decisions they make.” Hannah Natanson contributed to this report.
