In mid-February, Salem-Keizer Public Schools introduced several new policies with the goal of increasing the “safety, wellbeing, education and success” of transgender and non-binary students.
The policies have drawn backlash in recent weeks, as well as an outpouring of community support, in the form of protests, school board public testimony and social media posts. Some have praised them as an important step to protect transgender students, while others expressed concern over parts of the policies.
The district introduced five policies around transgender students, ranging from clarifying sports participation to outlining how staff can support students who are transitioning. But what do the new policies actually mean for staff and students and why were they introduced?
The Statesman Journal spoke to Salem-Keizer Director of Strategic Initiatives Suzanne West and LGBTQ+ Program Associate Bailey Anderson. Here are their answers.
What do the policies say around sports and gendered spaces?
The first policy addresses bathroom access, stating that students, staff and visitors may use the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity. It also directs schools to ensure that gender-neutral, single-occupant restrooms are accessible to anyone.
The policy also states that “students may use the gender-specific locker room that corresponds to their gender identity.” When locker rooms require undressing, the policy directs schools to make “reasonable accommodations” to address the student’s privacy concern, such as providing use of a private area or a staggered changing schedule.
The second policy addresses the accessibility of athletic activities. In school PE classes, transgender students cannot be denied access to a class or activity due to their assigned sex, and gender-inclusive PE class activities cannot be separated by gender.
The policy also states that any student participating on an OSAA team can play for the team that matches their gender identity, regardless of the status of any gender-affirming medical treatment. A non-binary student will be given the option to choose which gendered team they want to play on. However, students cannot switch which gender they play for during a single season.
Transgender and nonbinary athletes will have the same access to facilities as the rest of their team.
How do these policies address student privacy?
The third policy addressed the privacy rights of transgender students. Unless required by law, such as when the student’s health, safety or wellbeing is at risk, school staff will not disclose if a student is transgender to anyone without the student’s approval, including caregivers.
Students can opt to change their name or gender at any time within Salem-Keizer’s education platform, Synergy.
Any students who want to transition at school will be able to complete a Gender Transition Plan with staff, which includes outlining what supports the students want and their expectations of privacy. The policy also states that students and their families can meet with a school counselor or LGBTQ+ program associate to create an accommodation plan.
How do the policies address LGBTQ+ education?
The fourth policy addresses how Salem-Keizer teachers will practice “LGBTQ+ affirming education.” Under the policy, students of all grade levels will be taught about gender identity and sexual orientation, in line with Oregon’s health standards . This means that trans and intersex people will be included in conversations about gender, sex and human biology.
Salem-Keizer also commits to increasing access to information on gender and sexuality diversity in school libraries and curricula, particularly as it relates to people of color and people with disabilities.
The final policy is a general commitment from the district to support the needs of transgender students, invest in the professional development of staff around gender identity and create a welcoming, equitable environment for transgender students.
Do they change district practice?
In short, not really. These policies are not a major shift in how transgender students are supported across the district, rather they are being introduced to create consistency from school to school, Anderson said.
“We wanted an opportunity for every student to have the same access that our students who are most supported get when they’re going to school,” Anderson said.
Anderson gave the example of one school that always gave transgender students access to their bathroom of choice and made sure to tell those who were transitioning their options. Meanwhile, at another school, a transgender student was told by a staff member that they could not access their restroom of choice until it was written in district policy.
