Rainbow Parents urges Bennington Public Schools to prepare for fallout from Nebraska law LB89

Sherry Schuler, speaking for Rainbow Parents of Nebraska, told the Bennington Public Schools Board of Education at its Aug. 11 meeting that state legislation known as LB89 will cause “chaos this fall” for transgender students and urged the district to prepare staff and strengthen supports.

Schuler said LB89 “bans transgender athletes from teams that align with their gender, not just at the high school level, but [covers] K‑12.” She also quoted Gov. Jim Pillen as saying, “I have confidence that most young boys and men in Nebraska know right or wrong, and they'll take care of whoever tries to go into the locker room or restroom,” and said the governor’s comment “was chilling.”

Why it matters: Schuler warned the board that school leaders will be left to manage logistical and disciplinary disputes raised under the law, including parents or others using gender challenges to target players or students. She said those challenges may force transgender students either to quit activities or to be outed to peers, increasing the need for counseling and protective measures.

Schuler urged the district to take three steps before the school year: prepare administrators, counselors and teachers to support transgender students who are outed or excluded from athletic teams; review and update anti‑bullying and harassment policies and “vigorously” enforce them; and extend mental‑health resources for transgender and gender‑nonconforming students likely to experience increased distress this fall.

She framed the request as harm‑reduction: “It’s our hope at Rainbow Parents that by highlighting challenges caused by bad governance and foolish words, your leadership can help protect all of the children attending Bennington Public Schools from the fallout.”

Schuler spoke during the meeting’s public forum at the start of the Aug. 11 board meeting; no board action was recorded in response to her remarks.