Gender identity policy goes before board again

A second reading to discuss amending a nondiscrimination policy in Kalispell Public Schools is on the agenda for the July 14 school board meeting.

Board members are considering adding “gender identity, sexual orientation or gender expression” to the list of protected classes such as race, color, sex, religious belief and disability, among others, in the Equal Education, Nondiscrimination and Sex Equity policy.

The impetus for a policy change came as a recommendation to all Montana schools from the Montana School Boards Association in January.

Instead of routine approval, the school board created a subcommittee to examine if the additional wording was necessary and what it might mean for students, as well as provide time to gather comments from the community.

Some trustees debated whether current policy, as required by law, is general enough to cover all students, while other trustees said the new language was necessary to make it clear to staffers and students the district will protect this vulnerable student population.

During a June 23 work session, the school board received overwhelming support from people who identified as either lesbian, bisexual, gay or transgender and the organizations and allies that support equality for this community. Just one community member spoke out against a majority of the wording.

The policy will receive a third and final reading before adoption.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.