Kalispell Public Schools to have final reading of nondiscrimination policy on Tuesday

Kalispell Public Schools will have its third and final reading of its revised nondiscrimination and sex equity policy Tuesday.

Support and opposition has been voiced to the school board on the proposed revision that would add six words — gender identity, sexual orientation, gender expression — to the district’s Equal Education, Nondiscrimination and Sex Equity policy.

Current school policy outlines that the district provide equal educational opportunities and activities to all students regardless of identifiers such as race, color, sex, religious belief and disability, among others.

The amended language came as a recommendation to Montana’s public schools from the Montana School Boards Association in January.

During a second reading of the policy in July, Kalispell Public Schools Board of Trustees was met with a packed room and about 20 people who provided comments during public comment — possibly the most on this topic since discussion began in earnest in April.

Policy revisions are typically approved after three readings without much fanfare, but issues of equality in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community have proven to be hot-button topics not just in Kalispell, but nationwide.

Some trustees and community members have maintained that the current policy broadly covers all students and that adding such specific groups would “open the doors” to a limitless number of groups wanting to also be added. Others have questioned whether concerns of bullying voiced during public comment would be better handled in anti-bullying policy and procedures.

Supporters have said that adding the language sends a clear message to students in the lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender community that they are protected and that discrimination or bullying will not be tolerated. Supporters also have said the revisions will create a safer environment of acceptance from students identifying as lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender.

The public is invited to attend the school board meeting at 6 p.m. in the Glacier High School conference room.