South Whidbey School District to consider transgender student policy

South Whidbey School District’s board of directors will meet today to discuss the potential adoption or update of policies regarding transgender students, nondiscrimination, Disability History Month, notification of isolation or restraint of students with Individualized Education or Section 504 plans and several other topics as well.

South Whidbey School District’s board of directors will meet today to discuss the potential adoption or update of policies regarding transgender students, nondiscrimination, Disability History Month, notification of isolation or restraint of students with Individualized Education or Section 504 plans and several other topics as well.

Many of these policies, including that regarding transgender students, were recommended by the Washington State School Directors Association.

According to South Whidbey School District Superintendent Jo Moccia, this policy, if adopted, would not change much for students.

“We have several students who may have been a particular gender biologically and now identify as another gender,” said Moccia. “We have had a nondiscrimination policy that includes gender, gender expression and sexual orientation for many years.”

Other policies, such as that regarding the required notification of isolation or restraint of students with Individualized Education or Section 504 plans, will be updated, according to Moccia, to comply with Washington State law.

The board of directors will vote on the adoption or update of each policy at a future board meeting.

The South Whidbey School District board of directors will meet for the workshop discussion at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3 at the South Whidbey Elementary School Community Room.

For more information regarding the workshop agenda and policies, visit www.sw.wednet.edu.