ROCKLIN, Calif. — The Rocklin Unified School District took action on a controversial gender policy, approving the policy 4-1.
The policy would require teachers to notify parents when a student asks to identify as a different gender. However, some parents and teachers are concerned it violates student rights.
A marathon of public comments from teachers, students and parents started around 7 p.m. and continued for hours. At times, tensions flared.
Supporters said it’s about making sure parents are involved.
“If there is not notification, there can’t be dialogue,” said Tiffany Saathof, school board vice president.
Opponents countered, saying it could put students at risk.
“It is up to the student to tell their parents when they feel that it’s safe and necessary for them to know that information about them,” said one opponent to the policy.
Teachers rallied near the district office before the meeting, trying to show support for students being included and not targeted in the district. Some parents also spoke out against the policy ahead of the meeting.
"Families that have LGBTQ members, like my own, we're crying out. We're saying, 'Hey, this is not written in an appropriate healthy way. This is going to get people hurt,'" said Price Johnson, a parent.
Travis Mougeotte, president of the Rocklin Teacher Professional Association, said there were concerns about a board policy targeting any one group of students, noting that it could be a violation of safety, student concerns and the culture they vie for in Rocklin.
Wednesday night's vote took place not long after California Attorney General Rob Bonta sued Chino Valley Unified School District for adopting a policy requiring schools to tell parents when their children change their pronouns or use a bathroom of a gender other than the one listed on their official paperwork.
"Families that have LGBTQ members like my own, we're crying out. We're saying, 'Hey, this is not written in an appropriate healthy way. This is going to get people hurt,'" said Bonta.
He said the policy was illegal, dangerous, puts students at risk and violated their rights.
For Rocklin's policy, the conversations about it started last month. The board formed a subcommittee to revise its own policies when it comes to gender identity and pronouns.
It's a cultural flashpoint playing out at school boards around the country.
WATCH THE BOARD MEETING LIVE:
