The Abbotsford board of education has voted against a motion to require parental consent for a child in elementary or middle school who wants to use a name or pronoun that “does not conform with their biological sex.”
The motion was introduced by Trustee Mike Rauch at the public board meeting on June 18.
It arose as part of discussions on changes to some administrative procedures, including on privacy breaches and complaints, social media operations, the use of digital technology in the classroom, and student registration.
Rauch’s motion was in relation to the administrative procedure (AP) on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.
The school district describes the procedure as being designed “to ensure that all students and staff have access to safe and caring work and learning environments, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.”
The procedure indicates that students and staff “will be addressed by their chosen name and pronoun that align with gender identity and gender expression.”
The AP states that in instances where a student does not want parental disclosure or involvement, staff will work with the student to determine whether, “with appropriate support,” the student will agree to having their parents involved.
“No information regarding a student request will be shared with parents if this disclosure could threaten the health, safety or welfare of a student,” the procedure reads.
Trustee Jared White began the discussion at the board meeting, saying the AP doesn’t go far enough “in supporting parental rights.”
“This AP in its current form still permits students and staff to potentially keep crucial information about a student’s mental health from their parents or guardian,” he said.
Rauch said he agrees with White, and introduced the motion that the AP be amended to indicate that parental consent be required for kids in elementary or middle school.
“I just can’t imagine that it is in the best interest of the child, 12 years or younger, for the school to affirm their choice to be a different gender than their biological sex without have their parents part of that conversation. I think it’s a lonely place for a child to go through that,” he said.
“These kids at this age aren’t even allowed to go on a field trip without parental consent, and they can’t get a job without parental consent.”
Rauch said if the motion passed, then a child under the age of 12 who did not have parental consent would have to continue to use their given name and the pronoun that conforms with their biological sex.
Trustee Stan Petersen said he has “great faith” in district staff.
“School counsellors deal with a bazillion issues, and kids go to them in confidence. But at the same time, I can’t think of any examples where they haven’t encouraged the parent to be involved in those discussions,” he said.
Board chair Shirley Wilson said APs are the purview of district superintendent Sean Nosek, and she has “full confidence” in him and in teachers and support staff that they will do the best for their students.
“(They) have all taken an oath, and they all have a code of ethics for their own work that they do,” she said.
Other trustees stated that the matter is more of a provincial issue and questioned whether passing the motion would be legal.
Trustees Rauch, White and Korky Neufeld voted in favour of the motion. Trustees Petersen, Wilson, Preet Rai and Rudi Kanda-Rajwan voted against.
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