Westerly residents press school committee to rewrite transgender protocol; board schedules workshop

During the open forum, a local resident identified as Mr. Caridio addressed the committee about the district's current policy framework and RIDE (state) guidance, asserting that the guidance "allows boys to utilize the same bathrooms and locker rooms as girls" and that the guidance permits staff to adopt students’ chosen pronouns and withhold some transition information from parents. He urged the committee to rewrite local policy to protect girls' privacy and safety.

Diane Goldsmith, a Westerly resident, urged the committee to prioritize other district matters such as food insecurity and questioned how many local incidents, if any, the current policy had produced. Other public speakers suggested a practical accommodation: single‑use lockable facilities available to any student who wishes privacy. Committee members expressed divergent views but agreed the topic warrants careful review: several members advocated a focused workshop to draft policy language with input from professionals and affected community members.

The committee set a date for a workshop (Sept. 17 at 5:00 p.m. as discussed in the meeting) to begin redlining or otherwise drafting a local protocol, and the chair asked members to submit goals and questions in advance. Committee members emphasized the need for clear goals for the workshop and for inclusion of experts and community voices. No policy was adopted at the Sept. 4 meeting; the process was put on a near‑term schedule for development and public review.