1. Do you support the policy that requires all HCPSS schools to allow transgender students to use restrooms and changing facilities based on their identified gender? Please explain your answer.

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Yes. Individuals should be able to use the restroom and changing facilities of their identified gender. In addition, I support other aspects of the policy, such as all individuals having access to a private restroom. Not all students feel comfortable in typical restrooms that are based on binary gender and have less privacy. I would like to see that new construction include restroom and changing facility designs that allow students more privacy.

 

2. Would you support a policy that requires HCPSS staff and non-official documents to use the name and pronouns that a student requests? Please explain your answer.

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Except when required by law, staff and documents should use the name and pronouns that the student requests, to the best of their abilities.

 

3. To what age groups (if any) is it appropriate for teachers and other staff members to disclose to students that they have LGBTQ family members or are involved in a same-sex relationship?

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I think it is important for children of all ages to understand that we love who we love. I know for my young kids, it was important for them to see their teachers as whole people with spouses and children and pets. That should be true regardless of who they love. I think it is also important for kids to understand the diversity of relationships in the world. My children have at times come home from elementary school to tell me that only men and women can marry, at which point I have to remind them that two of their grandmothers are married to each other. I know the harm that was caused when my husband's family used to have to hide it when he was in school. No one should have to hide.

 

4. Should curriculum be revised to include reference to LGBTQ individuals, including the fact or possibility that the individuals were LGBTQ identified. If yes, what (if any) is the minimum grade level at which these changes should be made? Please explain your answer.

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The curriculum should be inclusive of everyone. If the person is LGBTQ, and is willing for others to know that, then I think it can be included. It is important for students to have diverse role models.

 

5. Would you like to see LGBTQ themed works of literature, art, and media be introduced into the curriculum, and if yes, what (if any) is the minimum grade level at which this should be done? Please explain your answer.

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I think they should be included if the heterosexual-themed equivalent is also appropriate. For instance, rules on showing videos of certain ratings would apply equally to both. The same would be true of literature, art, and other media.

 

6. How should the school system provide more education to parents/guardians with regard to understanding and supporting LGBTQ youth? How should HCPSS reach out to parents/guardians who are unsupportive of their children’s LGBTQ identities?

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In general, at least in my experience, the school system does not educate parents. The only exceptions I can think of is Kindergarten readiness night and some math/reading events at our Title 1 elementary school. I have seen parent education through school affiliated organizations, like the PTA and advisory councils. I think it would be a great idea to do more parent education and include this topic, and I think many parents would welcome the opportunity.

 

7. What accommodations should be made for transgender students participating in athletics organized by the school system? Which policies should be revised to reflect these accommodations?

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Currently what teams transgender students can participate with are managed by the MSBE through the MPSSAA, which allows transgender students to participate on the team of their birth gender, the gender they have transitioned to, or the gender in school system records. We should ensure that transitioned students have uniforms they are comfortable with, which may be more modest than the typical uniform or need other modifications. We should also ensure that they have locker room, shower, and restroom facilities where they feel both comfortable and safe. Everyone should try to use the preferred name and pronouns to the best of their ability.

 

8. Should HCPSS make sure schools offer access to LGBTQ student clubs like GSAs to their students? At what levels (High? Middle? Elementary?) should this happen? Please explain your answer.

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I wish elementary schools had clubs. And I definitely feel we need extracurricular activities in middle school. We do at least have a limited amount of club offering during the school day. But in general, this question is difficult to answer because we largely don't support clubs of any time. When we have clubs, I support having LGBTQIA+ clubs for students where that is their interest. And I strongly support expanding our extracurricular offerings--I think it is crucial to the mental health and well being of students. I think it would increase self-esteem, student success, and school pride. And I also think it would provide more tools when addressing discipline issues.

 

9. Do you support the creation and funding of an LGBTQ initiatives specialist role within HCPSS? Such a role would be responsible for coordinating and developing policies and programs in support of LGBTQ students and staff within HCPSS. Please explain your answer.

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We have a sizable student population that identifies as LGBTQ and/or has LGBTQ family. We need to have individuals that are well-versed in LGBTQIA+ issues to ensure that we are doing the best we can in programming, with curriculum, and with policies. We need to have experts that can provide guidance, and feel comfortable doing so.

 

10. What changes would you like to see made to the way HCPSS handles identification, reporting, interventions, and prevention of bullying?

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In my experience, the current system is very reactive. Every instance of bullying has to be reported and is then dealt with. Administrators react, but the damage is done. The harm lingers. We need to find a way to implement a more proactive solution. One that reduces bullying, particularly after the first instance is reported. The student being bullied should not have the extra burden of reporting every instance in order for it to be addressed.

 

11. What measures should the school system take to prevent suicide among the student body?

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I am grateful that at least in middle school suicide is discussed, and that parents are notified that those discussions are happening, so they can support their kids. But I do think it came too late in my son's education; I wish that mental health crisis was discussed earlier. More importantly though, I would really like to see the school system, with partners, have a meaningful opportunity for hand-on training for adults (including teachers, staff, coaches, and parents) and maybe even older students on suicide prevention. I feel fortunate to have received such training twice and I consider it one of the most important trainings I have ever received in my life. I've used it more than CPR or the Heimlich maneuver, both of which I learned in high school health class. I think we need to approach suicide as another medical condition where we need individuals to be trained to step in so that we save lives.

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If you or someone you know is thinking of suicide, seek help.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255

Grassroots Crisis Line: 410-531-6677

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12. HCPSS has a very diverse student population with regard to race, ethnicity, country of origin, immigration status, socioeconomic status, disability, family structure, etc. What roles do you think these cross identities should play in the school system’s policies and practices in supporting LGBTQ students?

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We are diverse, and that diversity increases exponentially when students are multiply diverse. We need to support all of them, in all combinations, and our policies and practices should reflect that.