Fulton District Changes School Policy to Include Gender Identity Protection

by Mikayla Kemp | May 11, 2016 9:31 pm

FULTON, NY – The Fulton City School District Board of Education heard the first reading for a number of policy changes for the district at Tuesday’s (May 10) regular meeting.

As Superintendent of Schools, William Lynch read through more than 15 policy changes, most were merely grammatical or stylistic changes.

However, for Policy #5410 Dignity for All Students Act, a change was made to include gender identity as a protected class against discrimination and bullying in schools.

This change sparked discussion among the board regarding how the district addresses and handles the needs of transgender students.

Popular in the media right now, the nationwide conversation bringing attention to transgender restroom facilities fueled curiosity for board member David Carvey to ask about the options available for any students identifying as transgender within the district.

Superintendent Lynch confirmed that transgender students have been attending the Fulton City School District for a very long time at both the secondary and elementary levels and there has been no real issue regarding opportunities or safety while at school.

These students are dealt with on an individual basis as to create a personalized plan that both the student and their family are comfortable with, he continued.

“This is an evolving issue,” said Lynch, who said that the district has worked with the school’s affiliated attorneys and have referenced and follow all state and federal regulations, including the United States Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights.

“All students are required to have total equal access to all school opportunities,” a regulation that Lynch and the Board of Education are confident is upheld within the district.

A student with gender identity concerns must approach the school to identify themselves and inform the school of their identification to insure these needs and opportunities are being met.

“One of the most crucial things with gender identity reflection as a student discovers themselves and their identity, is that schools are a safe environment for them to do that,” said Lynch.

Lynch explained that the school will support the student entirely, working with the student and working with their family, and will even help the student to work with their family if that is an issue for the student as well.

A student will be able to identify the name they wish to go by and will have the option to use the restroom facility of the gender they identify with, if they are comfortable with that.

Geri Geitner, director of student support services said students also have the option to use an alternative location for restroom needs, which would generally be the nurse’s office.

An elementary principal from the district in attendance at the meeting said he has a student in his school currently who chooses to use the restroom in the nurse’s office, an example of the school’s cooperation to create a comfortable environment for the student.

For students using locker rooms, Geitner said that physical education teachers will make it known to all students that there are private changing locations for anyone who would like to use them.

Geitner said counselors, school-home liaisons and numerous other support staff are available for these students to help them with their needs while at school.

“We outline a path that they are comfortable with,” she said. “We sit with the family, with consent of the student when they are at the secondary level, and the students are autonomous in making those decisions.”

While no special accommodations have been made for students struggling with gender identity in the district, Lynch believes that through remaining consistent and inclusive with school policies there is no need for such at the present time.

Both Geitner and Lynch said that although there are transgender students in the schools, there are really no issues within the district regarding the availability to continued equal educational opportunities and safety for these students.

The board of education also heard of the proposed changes to the school code of conduct.

Two areas have been included to Policy #5312 Prohibited Student Conduct, now banning all students from the use or possession of E-cig (electronic cigarettes) products and all vapor products on school grounds.

Lynch affirmed that students are using these products during school hours on school grounds and even some while inside school buildings.

“The problem with these products is you never really know what is being smoked, so that’s why we are banning them altogether,” said Lynch.

Lynch said this change in policy is to keep students clear of the expectations of them while at school.

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/news/fulton/fulton-district-changes-school-policy-to-include-gender-identity-protection/

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