Poudre School District board adopts Transgender Day of Visibility resolution after students’ safety cited

The Poudre School District Board of Education voted unanimously March 24 to adopt a resolution recognizing Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, 2026.

Director Connor Duffy moved the resolution and Dr. Andrew Spain seconded it. In remarks before the vote, Director Kevin Havelda urged the board to treat the measure as a student‑safety action, citing national and district data that he said show higher rates of distress and self‑harm among transgender and gender‑diverse youth. "This resolution speaks loudly — I'll be voting 'yay' because it says to our students directly, regardless of them being in the room or not, I see you and I accept you," Havelda said.

Superintendent Kingsley framed the resolution in the context of district efforts funded by the debt‑free mill levy to support inclusive practices and staff training. Kingsley noted the district will continue gender‑inclusive professional development and substitute‑teacher guidance to support correct use of names and pronouns.

Public commenters reiterated the safety and inclusion rationale. Julie Kramer, who said her family moved to Fort Collins from Texas with a gender‑expansive teenager, told the board her child "has done well academically" but remains "on high alert about the bathrooms" and urged the board to "keep Poudre ISD a safe choice for LGBTQ students." Kristen Draper told the board that "all students and staff deserve to be seen for who they are every day, not just once a year."

Kurt Castine, speaking later in public comment, said he agreed discrimination should be opposed but argued the board should have allowed public comment before acting on the resolution and read language for an alternative resolution opposing gender transitions for minors.

The board passed the resolution by voice vote as recorded in the meeting (motion recorded in the transcript as passing 7‑0). The resolution recognizes Transgender Day of Visibility and directs district communications and programming aligned with the recognition.

The board did not adopt any new policy changes during the meeting related to student medical care or restroom assignments; the resolution as presented and debated was a recognition and statement of support. Board members who supported the resolution said it is intended to affirm students' existence and to guide inclusive practices, while critics focused on governance questions and concerns about framing and timing.

The board's adoption of the resolution is the most recent action on LGBTQ‑related recognition by the Poudre School District; the district also highlighted nearby community events tied to the visibility day and invited families to engagement sessions on related topics.