Parents and union leader urge board to publicly back protections for transgender students and staff

Two community speakers urged the board to publicly support transgender students and to reaffirm district nondiscrimination protections.

Doug Urner identified himself as a parent of a transgender daughter and said the recent national rhetoric and executive actions targeting transgender people are “terrifying to trans students and their parents.” Urner told the board that the executive orders he referenced “are immoral and they lack the force of law” and that they “contravene the protections afforded by our state laws and our constitution.” He asked the board to “speak up for your trans students, to speak up for the staff that supports them,” saying such statements “may literally be life saving.”

Carol Rivera, president of the Peninsula Education Association, told the board that educators are worried about national attacks on public education and the potential effects on students and staff. Rivera referenced district nondiscrimination policy and policy 3.205 on harassment of students and asked the board to help ensure schools remain safe for all students. She also raised concerns about immigrant families and law enforcement interactions and asked the district and board to consider contingency planning for possible federal funding losses that would affect special education obligations.

Board members did not take immediate formal action during public comment; the speakers asked for public statements and continued district support and collaboration with staff and families.