School committee updates transgender policy draft, schedules final reading March 3

The School Committee on Feb. 3 reviewed revisions to policy P5235, the district’s draft policy on transgender and gender‑nonconforming students, and set a path for final action. Committee members said the draft has been revised following public comment and outside legal guidance and will remain open for public comment until Feb. 26; a third and final reading and vote is scheduled for the March 3 meeting.

District staff described the principal edits as updates to definitions, the addition of the term “gender dysphoria,” consistent use of the terms “parent/guardian/caregiver,” and alignment with state guidance and athletic association rules. Staff told the committee the revisions reflected recommendations from the district’s legal reviewer and that the committee must follow Massachusetts law and DESE guidance while seeking to ensure the policy protects students from discrimination.

A number of public commenters addressed the policy during the meeting. Megan O’Connell, who identified herself and provided an address, urged additional clarity and more guidance on records and access to facilities; she told the committee she opposed the policy as drafted, saying, “If I was voting on it, [if it] passes, I would not vote for it.” O’Connell asked for additional conformity with DESE guidelines and clearer rules about names and official records.

Committee members and staff said they had reviewed DESE guidance, Massachusetts General Laws (MGLs) and athletic association (MIAA) guidance and had made limited textual tweaks to reflect legal input. Staff recommended keeping the draft posted through Feb. 26 to give the public an opportunity to submit additional comments before the March 3 final reading. Legal counsel (referenced in meeting as KP Law or the district’s counsel) will continue to monitor state and federal guidance and alert the committee to changes that might require policy updates.

The committee did not take a final vote Feb. 3; members asked staff to post the amended draft to the public comment portal and to schedule any additional subcommittee meetings if further feedback arrives.

Sources: Committee discussion and public comment at the Feb. 3 meeting and in‑meeting statements by policy subcommittee members and public commenters.