Henrico School Board not planning to weigh Youngkin's transgender guidance yet

Although Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin released new guidance recently that changes how public schools can treat transgender students, the Henrico County School Board has not yet made a decision about whether to adopt it.

The guidance states that schools must inform a student’s parent or guardian of any changes to the student’s name, nickname, or personal pronouns. Students only may be referred to by names or pronouns that differ from those in the official school record with written permission from a parent.

The guidance document also indicates that students must use the bathroom that corresponds with their biological sex.

According to Henrico School Board chair Marcie Shea, there are not yet any plans to discuss the guidance at a future school board meeting.

“The school board takes seriously its role to adopt policy that is consistent with the law, as well as its responsibility to ensure that policies reflect the expectation that all students be recognized and supported,” said HCPS Chief of Communications Eileen Cox.

Youngkin’s guidance has not yet been passed into law – it is still in the public comment phase, which will close on Oct. 26. Despite that, many school districts already have decided whether to adopt or reject the new policies.

Not all school divisions in Virginia are complying with the governor’s new guidance. For example, Richmond Public Schools voted 8-1 to reject the guidance.

“To enact these harmful policies that jeopardize the health and safety of our students is cruel,” Richmond Public Schools board member Liz Doerr said.

Alexandria City schools also refused to adopt the guidance, with officials there saying that they would continue to “implement and develop affirming policies” for transgender students.

The guidance inspired last month’s high school walkouts across the state, with students in many high schools – including several in Henrico – protesting against it.

Although the governor has said that he expects schools to comply with the law, there is no specific policy to enforce it in schools.

“It’s the law, and so I don’t really have a lot of patience for folks who see a law and don’t comply with it,” Youngkin said on Sept. 20.

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Anya Sczerzenie is the Henrico Citizen’s education reporter and a Report for America corps member. Make a tax-deductible donation to support her work, and RFA will match it dollar for dollar. Sign up here for her free weekly education newsletter.