1. Do you support the HCPSS guidelines that transgender students will have access to restrooms, changing facilities, and sports in accordance with the student’s gender identity? Please explain your answer.

Yes, I believe transgender students should have access to their preferred facilities.

2. Would you support a policy that codifies the guideline that requires HCPSS staff and non-official documents to use the name and pronouns that a student requests? Please explain your answer.

Yes, I support this policy. A name is important and using the correct name and pronouncing it correctly make students feel valued.

3. To what age groups (if any) is it appropriate for teachers and other staff members to disclose to students that they have LGBTQ+ family members or are in a same-sex relationship?

Students are often curious about their teachers' lives outside of school. If this topic comes up I think it is fine for teachers to talk about this as early as Kindergarten.

4. What concerns, if any, do you have with students talking about themselves or family, friends, or community members related to being LGBTQ+?

I don't have concerns.

5. Should curriculum include reference to LGBTQ+ individuals, including the fact or possibility that the individuals were LGBTQ+ identified. If yes, what (if any) is the minimum grade level at which these references should be included? Please explain your answer.

If the identity of the individual is relevant to the lesson then it should be included. When talking about voting rights, it is important to note that some of the people leading the suffragettes movement were women. Harvey Milk was a famous activist and politician and the fact that he was openly gay defined much of his activism. Harriet Tubman was a black women in the Underground Railroad. In these lesson, the identity of the individual is important.

6. Should curriculum include reference to LGBTQ+ themed works of literature, art, and media, and if yes, what (if any) is the minimum grade level at which these references should be included? Please explain your answer.

Yes. Kindergarten.

7. Should HCPSS ensure access to LGBTQ+ student clubs like GSAs for students? At what levels (High? Middle? Elementary?) should this happen? Please explain your answer.

Students should be able to form and join clubs that interest them. I believe there is a small selection of clubs at the middle school level but most after school clubs exist at the high school level.

8. Do you support the continued funding of programs for LGBTQ+ students at HCPSS such as employing an LGBTQ+ initiatives specialist and rainbow representatives within the schools? Please explain your answer.

If our budget does not allow for this position then we would need to train existing staff to absorb this role.

9. What changes would you like to see made to the way HCPSS handles identification, reporting, interventions, and prevention of bullying and hate/bias incidents?

I have heard from parents that they are not comfortable with the current reporting process. The process, as written, sounds thorough but the implementation could be improved. Additionally, I support ongoing training to teachers, staff and students so everyone understands what bullying and hate look like and how to report it.

10. Would you support a policy that allows staff not to disclose information to parents that was shared with them in confidence about a student’s LGBTQ+ identity?

I believe a parent needs to know what is happening with their child. If their child excels at art, is struggling with math, is the ring leader in the classroom or sits alone at recess, the teacher will tell the parent. So, unless the teacher is worried about abuse (physical or emotional), I believe it is important for the parent to be aware and involved.

11. HCPSS has a diverse student population with regard to race, ethnicity, country of origin, immigration status, socioeconomic status, disability, family structure, etc. What roles, if any, do you think these intersectional identities should play in the school system’s policies and practices in supporting LGBTQ+ students?

We should be sure to train school staff in what intersectionality is and then make sure students feel safe in their environment.

12. HCPSS has guidelines for gender inclusion (found in https://www.hcpss.org/f/supports/gender-inclusive-guidelines.pdf). Do you support these guidelines and would you vote in favor of a policy that codifies these guidelines? Please explain your answer.

Yes, I support these guidelines and would be happy to review the best way to include them within existing policies.

13. What are your views on training all staff on LGBTQ+ and other diversity related issues?

Effective training that includes self-awareness, case studies and role-play is a good idea.

14. Do you agree with the current policies for book removal requests? Why or why not? How should HCPSS prevent those requests from disproportionately affecting LGBTQ+ themed books?

The existing process for book challenges should be followed. I understand that many challenges are related to LGBTQ+ themed books and through community education I hope that the number of these challenges decreases.