The Orange County Unified School District board passed a transgender notification policy earlier this week.
According to the policy, a certified staff member or principal is required to tell parents if their child under 12 years of age is requesting to use different pronouns or requests to participate in activities differing from the student’s “assigned biological sex at birth.”
Over the age of 12, staff members can decide if it’s appropriate or not to inform the student’s family.
Board members voted around 11:30 p.m. after several interruptions and delays during the meeting.
Board President Rick Ledesma and Trustees John Ortega, Angie Rumsey, and Madison Miner were left to vote on the policy, and all were in agreement.
“This is a vote for the safety of our kids,” said Miner. “Keeping parents aware of what is happening is the only way we can move forward towards safety in our district.”
From The Orange County Register:
In addition to the clauses regarding sexual identity and expression, the policy states that if a child is showing signs of self-harm, suicidal thoughts and actions or has experienced any significant injury, families will immediately be notified by the school. Per the policy, the family will be notified by writing as soon as reasonably possible and will have five days to respond.
