It was during discussion of the school system’s policy regarding discrimination that an “uncomfortable conversation” was held.
Calvert County Public Schools’ discrimination policy was up for a final decision at the Sept. 19 meeting of the board of education. The policy, which was originally adopted in 2008 has undergone three revisions prior to last week’s discussion.
Board member Lisa Grenis asked the revised policy’s presenter — Cecelia Lewis, student services director — “does our policy permit biological males who identify as female to participate and compete in school-sponsored women’s sports?”
“That’s not directly aligned to this discrimination policy,” Lewis replied. “That would be aligned to our Title IX and athletic exceptions. We do not discriminate based on gender identity.”
Lewis confirmed that Title IX of the federal education amendments of 1972 is one of several laws cited in the county public school system’s discrimination policy.
“So they [transgender males] can participate in a female sport?” Grenis asked.
“Only if there was not a comparable sport available for that,” Lewis said. “That particular decision would be in consultation with the athletic department and our executive team by reviewing the particular guidelines. Calvert County Public Schools does not have a specific procedure.”
Lewis said Calvert’s public schools follow the guidelines established by the Maryland State Department of Education.
The state department’s suggested non-discrimination guidelines for physical education and athletics recommend consideration to “include transgender students in sex-segregated athletic activities based on their gender identity,” according to the department’s website.
The department further recommends following the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association guidelines from the state code, which state each school system should “develop and apply criteria” for interscholastic athletic team participation “consistent with their [student’s] bona fide gender identity.”
Lewis said to her knowledge, “we have not run into a situation” where an assessment or a decision needed to be made regarding a transgender male’s wish to participate in a female sport.
Grace Minakowski, the student member of the school board, indicated this was a non-issue among the many students with whom she has spoken.
“I have not heard from transgender students about any athletic complaints,” Minakowski said. “I think this is a fringe thing that has been coming up.”
Minakowski added she has also not heard of any issues with “transgender students in bathrooms.”
“I think it’s an obligation we have to keep each student safe,” board member Jana Post said. “In doing so, sometimes we have to have some uncomfortable conversations. Keeping a transgender student safe is equally as important as making sure we keep a female student or a male student safe. I think this is a catalyst for additional conversation. We are dealing with sensitive things.”
Both Lewis and board president Antoine White said it was important to not depict transgender students as a safety threat as that could threaten their safety.
“We have to be careful of the words and how we use them,” White said.
“We need to create a policy,” Grenis said.
Board member Inez Claggett told Grenis it was her [Grenis’] “elected duty” to draft a policy for the board’s future consideration.
“We need to consider all points of view,” Grenis said. “I’m glad we are having this conversation.”
The revised discrimination policy, as amended, passed unanimously.
The revisions include deletion of some verbiage in the definition of discrimination and states the board “does not refuse enrollment of a prospective student or withhold privileges” from students, parents and guardians “because of an individual’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.”
The revision also affirms that there will be no discipline, penalty or “retaliatory action” taken against anyone if a discrimination complaint is filed against the school system.
Local News
