Details Of Transgender Swampscott Educator's Agreement Revealed

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — A former elementary school principal whose contract was not renewed after coming out as transgender must inform the school of which pronouns he wishes to use and has no intention of changing clothes throughout the school day when he returns as a teacher, according to details of a settlement obtained by CommonWealth Magazine.

Thomas Shannon Daniels, who came out as transgender in February and identifies as gender fluid, took a leave from absence from Stanley Elementary School about a month later. It was later announced by Superintendent Pamela Angelakis that Daniels's contract would not be renewed after a parents' petition expressed "no confidence."

Angelakis and Daniels reached a settlement this fall, the details of which were obtained by CommonWealth Magazine.

Included in the terms were:

• Daniels, who at the time of the settlement intended to go by Mr. Daniels, use male pronouns, and stick to just one title throughout the school year, must give the school two weeks' notice if he wants to change the way he is referred to. He also must be available to talk about the changes with students, parents, and the community.
• Daniels, who told The Boston Globe he changed clothes up to four times a day, has no intention of changing clothes throughout the day when he returns, according to the settlement. When the issue of his varying clothing comes up, the school and Daniels will explain Daniels's identity as gender-non binary.
• Before he is reinstated, Daniels must have a psychiatrist certify he can "safely perform the essential functions of a Swampscott school teacher," CommonWealth Magazine said.

Angelakis did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Patch about why the agreement included a psychiatrist certifying Daniels's fitness. Patch will update this story if she does.

Daniels got $90,000 in the settlement, according to a a statement from the school system in October. A third of that was paid from the school's insurance, and a third of it went to lawyers for Daniels.

"I believe this win-win agreement sends a positive message to the Swampscott community, and particularly our students, about responding to conflict with empathy, creativity, compromise and collaboration," Daniels said in the statement. "I look forward to returning to classroom teaching where I can have a direct and positive impact on student learning while providing an environment that respects and celebrates human differences."

>>>Read the full CommonWealth Magazine story here

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Photo of Stanley School via Google Maps