Henrico School Board set to adopt policies protecting transgender students
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protect the rights of transgender and non-binary students, as now required by state law.
The school board’s act to revise policy was compelled by legislation passed by the General Assembly last year, which requires local school boards to implement policies for transgender students that are congruent with the Virginia Department of Education’s model policies.
The policy revisions mirror the practices that are already in place in Henrico County schools, Superintendent Amy Cashwell said at a June school board meeting.
One revision to a student record policy would allow schools to change a student’s name and gender designation on official records by request of a parent or guardian.
Another proposed change would allow students participating in school programs, events, or activities that are segregated by gender to participate in a manner consistent with their gender identity. This would not apply to secondary athletics, which will remain in adherence with Virginia High School League guidance — though the policy also states that schools can work to meet the needs of students on a case-by-case basis.
The legislation requires these changes to be implemented by the 2021-2022 school year, which starts Sept. 8 in Henrico County.
While these policy changes have caused chaos in some school board chambers across Virginia — namely in Loudoun County — Henrico has not seen any sort of controversy over the issue at its public meetings. There have been no public comments submitted related to the issue to date, according to Beth Teigen, chief of staff of HCPS.
None of the school board members in attendance at Thursday’s board meeting had any questions or comments on the item. Board member Michelle Ogburn, who represents the Three Chopt District, was not in attendance due to a family emergency.
The Henrico School Board is slated to vote on the policy revisions at its next work session on Aug. 26.
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Anna Bryson 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.
