The Columbia County School District (CCSD)is better than most in the region; however, that does not excuse the lack of transparency that continues to abound. One of the responsibilities of a school board is to set policy. Since October 2021, I requested a written policy on the use of pronouns and bathroom use (biological and/or transgender boys’ or girls’ access to bathrooms). The CCSD has been SILENT. On May 11, 2022, following the “Refocus on Education” event, District 3 school board member, Judy Teasley, stated publicly that the CCSD has had a written policy on bathroom in use for a very long time. I asked her to provide a copy to me. I am still waiting. On May 12, 2022, Dr. Flynt, the CCSD superintendent, finally replied via email that no policy on the use of pronouns exists.
I obtained a copy of the communication from the CCSD leadership Principals Conference held in February 2021 that states,
“‘Navigating the Transgender Landscape’ Resource Guide. The guide said we do not need to do as much as we are doing for transgender students. However, we are going to continue to allow transgender students certain ‘rights’ (restrooms, pronouns, etc.). Do not discuss this with staff. We will take situations as they arise.” (italics added)
A clear written policy is necessary because it protects students, teachers, administrators and taxpayers. Policy sets a standard and an expectation. Policy protects from lawsuits. The CCSD and the CCBOE have chosen for some time to ignore the need for a written policy on the use of bathrooms with respect to biological sex and the use of (preferred) pronouns (despite being asked multiple times). Instead, the CCSD has been deciding behind closed doors how they want to address these issues informally. The very fact that these decisions are being made in secret and kept secret from staff, parents and the community is WRONG on so many levels. Although the actual practice does matter, more concerning is the lack of transparency in determining said practices. Although ideology is important, this is not a discussion on ideology. It is a discussion on transparency and leadership, which is sorely lacking within the CCBOE and CCSD. Written policy protects students and holds those that interact with students accountable. To ignore setting policy borders on negligence. Our students and teachers deserve better.
Regards,
Janet Duggan, Martinez, Ga.
