Blair Oaks School Board tables transgender student policy discussion
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Blair Oaks School Board met Tuesday night to discuss the district's transgender student policy, but board members announced they would discuss and approve the policy at another time.
One board member Logan Gratz wanted to reassure the public that their policy is similar to what's seen in schools across the state.
"This is not a Blair Oaks only topic, school districts across the state are having these conversations and will continue to have these conversations in regard to this topic. Many other school districts in the state have adopted the same or similar policies we have including all of our conference districts and nearby districts," Gratz said.
Parents who came to the meeting for the discussion were upset and were very vocal with their frustrations to the board.
The board was prompted to take a look at the policy when someone wrote a letter frustrated about the policy.
The current policy had been in place for two years before someone made a complaint.
At a meeting in June, parents were able to speak out during public comments either for or against the policy.
Policy 2115, allows students to choose a name and pronoun by which they identify and to dress according to their gender identity. It allows students to use bathrooms that are gender neutral, designated for their gender or self-identified gender. It also outlines the Missouri State High School Activities Association regulations for sports.
The regulations for transgender students receiving hormone treatment, according to MSHSAA are:
- Trans males (female to male) may compete on a boys’ team but is no longer eligible to
compete on a girls’ team. - Trans females (male to female) may continue to compete on a boys’ team, but may not
compete on a girls’ team until one year of documented medical hormone treatment and/or
suppression is completed. To maintain eligibility, a trans female student will thereafter
provide medical documentation that the appropriate hormones are being maintained.
Some parents told ABC News crews they did not agree with the policy, and others said they are in support and they believe it will help students feel safer at school.
