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Parent urges board to retain named protections after policy language changes; district says it will still investigate harassment
Summary
A Grimes parent told the board she believes removing named protected classes from district policy sends a 'chilling message' to students and urged the board to retain gender identity and other specific protections.
Denise Perez, a Grimes resident and parent of a 2025 graduate, used the public comment period to urge the board to retain explicit references to gender identity and other protected classes in district policy. Perez said students of color are disproportionately disciplined, that girls and LGBTQ students face harassment that often goes unaddressed, and that removing named protections is "not symbolic, it is a shield." She also raised concerns about recent leadership decisions and asked the board to prioritize long‑term vision and stability.
Board and administration response: During policy discussion later in the agenda, the superintendent summarized legal guidance provided to the district: external counsel advised that adding protected‑class language that state law no longer recognizes could increase legal liability and create difficult line‑drawing for the board. Superintendent Scott Bloom and other administrators emphasized that the district will continue to investigate and address harassment and bullying; staff described current reporting processes, an independent investigator resource, and the ability to collect detailed local data about incidents even where state reporting checkboxes have changed.
What was said (selected, verbatim): "Removing it sends a chilling message to LGBTQ students, students of color, and others, you are no longer worth naming," Denise Perez said during public comment. "Please retain gender identity and other protected classes in our district policies."
Legal and practice notes from the meeting: Administrators said state law changes affected the categories used in statutory anti‑bullying reporting, and that legal counsel recommended the district avoid adding categories in policy that are not recognized by state statute; however, administrators and board members said the district will continue to respond to and track incidents, investigate complaints, and use local data to inform practice. Board members asked staff to continue reporting trends and to maintain transparency on bullying investigations and outcomes.
Sources: Public comment by Denise Perez; board discussion and superintendent explanation of legal counsel advice during policy second reading and votes.
