CPS votes to add gender identity to anti-discrimination policy

Updated at 9:09 p.m.:

The Columbia Public Schools Board has voted to change the district’s non-discrimination policy.

Columbia Public Schools policy currently states that students and employees cannot be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation and other characteristics. The board’s vote added to more classifications: gender identity and gender expression.

“This is one of those policies that had come to the forefront of the policy committee as needing to have some additional discussion about whether or not we needed to add this verbiage or if the policy as is would already address those issues,” said Michelle Baumstark, spokesperson for Columbia Public Schools.

The intent is to further include transgender students and employees in the anti-discrimination policy. An attorney for CPS said the new language wasn’t needed. The attorney said the current policy already protects employees and students based on sex and gender and sees adding the language as redundant.

Before the vote Baumstark said, “Even if the board did not vote to approve the wording change that all individuals would still be protected under the policy. This revision just makes it more explicit.”

The attorney for CPS said including gender expression could be an issue down the road because some people cross-dress as a costume or for attention. In a comment the attorney wrote if “The behavior became unprofessional or disruptive to the education environment, the district might want to be able to address the situation without concerns about violating this policy.”

School administrators said their goal is to work with students in a safe and supportive learning environment.