Emmett School District discusses gender identity policy in Monday meeting
EMMETT, Idaho (CBS2) — Dozens of parents were in attendance at the Emmett School Board meeting. The hot topic on Monday's agenda was Policy 3281, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation.
Policy 3281 is the same policy discussed at a Caldwell School District meeting in January that adjourned amid chaos.
The policy has been adopted by the Emmett School District, but board members discussed a new version of the policy that has been rewritten by the superintendent.
The rewritten policy would:
- Help create a plan if a student or school staff feels as though there is an issue relating to any matter associated with gender identity. The school can schedule a meeting with the student's parents to create a plan that may work for the student
- Protect students from being denied participation in overnight trips due to their sexual orientation
- Protect students’ privacy concerning personal information such as sexual orientation and legal name
- Protect the rights of same-sex couples to attend school activities including dances, and prohibit general discrimination against those couples
During public comment, parents discussed their disapproval of the policy and asked the board to revoke it.
"The number one stakeholder of this is the parents. It’s not the teachers. It’s not the school board. It’s not the principal, the superintendent. It’s us. This is who matters. It’s our kids," said Sara Brady, a parent at the meeting.
"Repeal this. I’m with my wife. We’re coming after your jobs if this isn’t taken care of," said another concerned parent.
Trustees decided to table the discussion until they dedicate a night of public input on the policy.
That meeting will be held sometime before the board's next meeting in April.
CBS2 has reached out to Superintendent Craig Woods for comment. He said:
Tonight, the board will have a first reading of the committee's rewrite suggestions of Policy 3281, that is the one that is attached to the agenda and you can see the changes in red the deleted areas are struck through. That is in the informational area because it is a first reading, and we do not typically adopt on a first reading. The action item and information provided in the notes is my personal recommendation to suspend our current 3281 as written until the board has either accepted the new rewrite as presented or with changes through input. The action item just gives the board the ability to either accept my recommendation or table it until a new meeting. The new rewrite addresses any applicable law which would be SB1100 if it is approved.
The full agenda for Emmett School District's meeting and Policy 3281 can be found HERE.