Chesapeake board hears emotional public testimony as proposed pronoun/personal-title policy is flagged for action
Summary
At a Chesapeake School Board meeting, multiple speakers urged the board to reject proposed policy language limiting use of preferred pronouns and titles; the board agreed to move the item from the consent agenda to the action agenda for fuller consideration.
At the Chesapeake School Board meeting, public commenters and teacher representatives urged the board to oppose proposed policy changes that would limit employees’ use of preferred titles and pronouns.
Several speakers tied the proposal to student safety and nondiscrimination. Sydney Garner, a Chesapeake resident, said reading a news report this morning that the board would “consider new policy on pronoun use for students and staff” during Transgender Awareness Week felt either intentional or “very tone deaf.” Amber Bomer, president of Pride in the Peak and a licensed school counselor, cited U.S. Department of Education and Virginia Department of Education guidance and said schools should prevent bullying and foster social and emotional well-being.
Caitlin Ritnauer, president of the Chesapeake Education Association, read the proposed policy text into the record and warned it could be discriminatory and would damage staff morale. Ritnauer read: "Employees shall refrain from providing to a student his or her preferred personal title or pronouns if such preferred personal title or pronouns do not correspond to his or her ***." She urged the board to vote no on the proposed changes and offered CEA legal resources to affected staff.
Not all testimony opposed the board. John Moulitor, a parent, criticized district leaders for what he described as insufficient discipline in a recent bullying incident at Hickory High School and demanded accountability, including resignations.
Board member Malia Huddle asked that the pronoun-related item be moved from the consent agenda to the action agenda so the board can fully consider it. Vice Chair Kim Scott later stated she will vote to update the policy, saying mutual respect is possible while not forcing others to participate. The board did not take final action on the policy at this meeting; the item will return to the board agenda for fuller consideration per the board’s process.
The board’s stated practice is to receive public comment and for staff to evaluate concerns and provide responses when appropriate. No formal policy change was adopted at this meeting.
