Bergen School District Designs Policy To Protect Transgender Students

A new proposal by the Pascack Valley Board of Education would permit district students to use locker rooms and restrooms based on their gender identity and require staff to address students by the name and gender pronoun a student identifies with.

The proposal would comply with federal and state regulations regarding transgender students, including discriminating against students based on their "gender identity or expression."

"The Board of Education believes the responsibility for determining a student's gender identity rests with the student," or their parents if they are not able to advocate for themselves.

The policy requires that the Board "not question" a student's assertion.

A student would be permitted to take physical education classes "consistent with their gender identity."

A student's status on a competitive sports team would be resolved on a case-by-case basis using state standards.

The policy would give students the right to dress "in accordance with their gender identity."

The policy would require staff members to address a student by the name and personal pronoun corresponding to that student's gender identity.

A student's records, including grade books and their permanent record, would be required to reflect the gender as well. Official student records would be changed if a parent documents a legal change of a student's name or gender.

Transgender students' statuses would be kept private and confidential. Schools would be prohibited from contacting parents about a student’s “transgender status” without the their consent.

Dozens of parents attended a meeting Tuesday and spoke out for and against the program.

The Board tabled the proposal last month after parents spoke out against the proposal at a Board meeting, The Record reported. One woman questioned whether or not it opened the door to "sexual immorality."