More parents and community members are becoming aware that a radical Transgender Student Policy is being developed for Arlington Public Schools. This policy would affect all 28,000 students and their families. APC parents have been communicating with school board members and administrators to let them know that we have concerns. According to School Board Policy K-3 under School-Community Relations:
The School Board must approve the institution of new programs, substantial revision of existing instructional programs, or discontinuation of programs, following a recommendation by the Superintendent, involvement of the community, and presentation to the community for comment.
In the Timeline document received at the February 25 school board working group meeting, March & April are the months for community input. However, the information for this policy is three links deep on the APS Engage website, and no public announcements or meetings have been forthcoming, that we have seen. We have reached out to Tara Nattrass, Ass't Superintendent of Teaching & Learning, to ask for information on how, when, and where community input will be solicited.
Please continue to alert other parents and community members to this policy issue, as consequences of its adoption would have ramifications for budgets, curriculum, counseling, parents' rights, and children's protections.
Thank you for making me aware of your activities.
I will work harder against people who believe their 'family values' outweigh the needs of children who don't fit into your cookie-cutter descriptions.
This is a public school system. Your minority views will be heard but will continue to be minority views.
The world continues to evolve.
There is nothing in any way radical in that policy document