1. Do you support the policy that requires all HCPSS schools to allow transgender students to use restrooms and changing facilities based on their identified gender? Please explain your answer.

Due to the lack availability of sufficient single stall restrooms in most schools, I support the current practice of providing specific restrooms for transgender students as outlined in HCPSS restroom and locker room use guidelines. However, new construction needs to provide restroom facilities that will be available to everyone so that there is no need for extraordinary accommodations.

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

Currently, HCPSS has procedures for students to request the name and pronouns they want to use.

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 involved in a same-sex relationship?

As an educator, I have spoken of my family on occasion during my classes; however, it was not a matter of “disclosing to students” my personal life. Family relationships and discussions tend to come up in natural ways as we engage with students. I thought the goal is to normalize the various ways lives are lived.

4. Should curriculum be revised to 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 changes should be made? Please explain your answer.

Representation matters. At the middle and high school levels, it would be appropriate to reference LGBTQ individuals in other areas of curriculum. At the elementary school level, including the names and pictures of the spouses and families in curriculum would work as well as it does now to note the family members of persons currently in curriculum.

5. Would you like to see LGBTQ themed works of literature, art, and media be introduced into the curriculum, and if yes, what (if any) is the minimum grade level at which this should be done? Please explain your answer.

The level and degree of exposure to works of literature, art, and media with LGBTQ themes should matter as should the level and degree of exposure of heterosexual themed works. The appropriateness of all materials should be determined by curriculum specialists, the responsible system administrators, families, and communities.

6. How should the school system provide more education to parents/guardians with regard to understanding and supporting LGBTQ youth? How should HCPSS reach out to parents/guardians who are unsupportive of their children’s LGBTQ identities?

The HCPSS website addresses this issue. In practice, the needs and wellbeing of students must be the primary focus. Supporting the student as a community of caring adults is a must.

7. What accommodations should be made for transgender students participating in athletics organized by the school system? Which policies should be revised to reflect these accommodations?

The Maryland Public Secondary School Athletic Association (MPSSAA), a part of the Maryland State Board of Education, addresses the issue of participation in sports, according to the HCPSS website. Transgender students are allowed to participate on the team of the gender to which they identify.

8. Should HCPSS make sure schools offer access to LGBTQ student clubs like GSAs to their students? At what levels (High? Middle? Elementary?) should this happen? Please explain your answer.

GSA (Gender Studies Alliance) clubs should be student driven and supported by an adult ally with the support from HCPSS administration at the middle and high school levels. Currently, HCPSS has a Rainbow Representative for every school. The representative assists students by helping to ensure that schools support students, staff, and families who are LGBTQIA+.

In addition, an elective LGBT studies course is going to be piloted in the 2022-23 school year at Hammond and Wilde Lake High Schools. All other high schools will have the course available in the 2023-24 school year.

9. Do you support the creation and funding of an LGBTQ initiatives specialist role within HCPSS? Such a role would be responsible for coordinating and developing policies and programs in support of LGBTQ students and staff within HCPSS. Please explain your answer.

The Superintendent and County Executive have included the funding for this role in the budget for the coming school year. As the understanding of the needs of LGBTQ students and staff is expanding it is good to have a person whose primary focus is to center the needs of that community in policies and programs.

10. What changes would you like to see made to the way HCPSS handles identification, reporting, interventions, and prevention of bullying?

Currently, HCPSS Policy 1060 covers bullying. However, accountability for enforcing the policy is vital. Steps for maintaining accountability must be ongoing.

11. What measures should the school system take to prevent suicide among the student body?

Today, mental health supports are needed for students more than ever. This is especially true for LGBTQ youth who are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers according to the Trevor Project. This can be changed by recognizing and supporting LGBTQ students and establishing real accountability for the welfare of all students no matter who they are.

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

Again, representation matters. The rich diversity of students from a wide range of identities provides a great opportunity for students to find themselves in school spaces. Elevating the variety of voices of students and staff will go a long way to make schools more welcoming and inclusive, especially when it comes to developing policies and practices.