Residents press Durango school board on transparency, gender support plan and student data privacy

A varied slate of community members used the meeting’s public‑comment period to press the Durango School District for more transparency on gender support procedures, better dyslexia screening plans and limits on student data sharing.

Several speakers — including Amber Morris, Jason Mitchum and Danielle Kirkpatrick — expressed concern about the district’s gender support plan and described cases they said showed parents were excluded from decisions. Kirkpatrick referenced the case of a resident, Symphony Stein, and alleged the district’s practices allowed a minor to be “socially transitioned” without parental consent. Those speakers called on the board to dissolve the gender support plan and require mandatory parental notification for gender‑related decisions.

At least three speakers raised concerns about district transparency in other areas. Amber Morris and others said it was difficult for parents to access information and participate in decisions affecting their children. Sarah Fisher, a district employee who advocates for dyslexia screening, told…