Watertown School District Voted For New Gender Policy

The Watertown Unified School District has just approved a "Gender Support Plan," last 18 November.The voters have two choices for the Watertown School District board: keep the status quo (option A) or adopt the new wide-ranging policy (option C). They chose the more restrictive policies for transgender students.

Before voting, board members heard from dozens of community members, parents and students on both sides of the issue, the audience filling the Riverside Middle School cafeteria and an overflow room. More than 300 additional people watched the meeting on Zoom.

Many of the attendees at the school held up signs that said "Vote C," referring to the "Option C" Gender Support Plan the board ultimately adopted.

The plan includes an amendment that it will not force staff or contractors to violate Title IX rules, to protect the board from being sued.

"My goal is to protect the district and to protect the kids," Board President David Schroeder said.

The other option, "A," has been in effect for eight years and allowed transgender students to use preferred pronouns and decide which bathrooms to use.

The new plan, strongly supported by conservative activist group Moms for Liberty, says if a student is a minor, their parent or guardian must be alerted and provide consent before the student can identify with new pronouns or a new name that is different from what is on their birth certificate.

If a parent gives consent to affirm their child’s gender identity with new pronouns and a new name, under this policy, school staff "may" use those pronouns and name but "shall not be compelled" to do so, according to the district’s plan.

Students will also use the restrooms, locker rooms and other facilities on district property consistent with their biological sex.

Students will be permitted to participate in intramural sports/extracurricular activities consistent with their biological sex, according to the plan.