District 11 board adopts name-change policy after heated public comment; administration directed to inform students before notifying parents

The Colorado Springs School District 11 Board of Education voted to adopt policy ACA, governing student name changes and related procedures, after extensive public comment both for and against the measure. The board adopted the policy as presented; during debate several board members requested that district procedures make clear that students be notified before parents are contacted when a name-change request is processed.

Director Jorgensen moved to adopt policy ACA, "name changes," and the motion was seconded. The board conducted discussion, received public comment from more than a dozen speakers and then approved the motion by roll call.

The public-comment period included students, district staff, community advocates and parents. Taylor Morrison, a graduating senior at Coronado High School, spoke in support of affirming school policies and said, "...here I stand, queer and trans and unashamed," urging the board to reject any policy that would…