Clergy letter and residents urge board to maintain protections for transgender students

Clergy and residents told the Great Valley School Board on Feb. 25 that the district’s policy protecting transgender and gender‑expansive students should be upheld.

Kevin Delaria read a letter signed by clergy from across the district and county, saying the faith leaders "affirm the district's current position supporting the rights, privacy, and protection of these students from harassment and discrimination." The letter called for compassion and inclusion and asked the board to continue the district’s efforts to create a safe environment for all students.

Several residents and parents supported that perspective. Janine Paul told the board that studies show higher suicide rates among transgender youth and urged the district to maintain protections. "They are human beings just like all of us," Paul said, adding that protections reduce bullying and help students thrive.

Rita Van Rossen, who said she has a transgender nephew, praised the district policy's privacy provisions—specifically that the policy allows students control over disclosure to parents in some circumstances. "My nephew really appreciates your policy where you don't tell teachers where you tell teachers, don't tell the parents if the kids don't want you to," she said, describing the policy as giving students needed time to explore identity.

Not all comment was uniformly phrased: some speakers tied broader social concerns to their views, and one speaker raised questions about demographic trends and cultural change. But the meeting record includes multiple affirmations from religious leaders and residents asking the board to continue supporting transgender and gender‑expansive students through policy 103.3.

What’s next: The board acknowledged the public comments; the transcript does not show a policy change vote at this meeting.

Sources: Public comment recorded at the Feb. 25 meeting; direct quotes are from Kevin Delaria, Janine Paul and Rita Van Rossen.