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Parent urges board to adopt clear opt‑out for gender‑identity instruction
Summary
A parent at the April 30 meeting said the board has not delivered a promised clear, concise opt‑out procedure for instruction on gender identity and urged the board to adopt updated Policy 10/25 within six weeks to avoid constitutional risk and costly litigation.
During public forum at the Howard County Board of Education meeting on April 30, a parent identified in the transcript as Mary Pippeth (speaker 20) criticized the district’s delay updating Policy 10/25 (Title IX/harassment procedures) and asked the board to set a firm six‑week deadline for adoption of an updated opt‑out procedure for instruction she said conflicts with some families’ religious beliefs.
Mary Pippeth said the board suspended Policy 10/25 20 months earlier because it was inconsistent with federal regulations and court actions and that updated procedures promised before the start of the 2025‑26 school year have not been provided. She warned that the delay puts families and educators in an “untenable position” and could expose the district to litigation, citing a recent Montgomery County settlement she said cost about $1.5 million. She asked the board for a firm public deadline within six weeks for adoption of an updated policy that reflects compliance with current law.
Board members did not adopt new policy at the meeting. Board leadership said they would seek legal guidance and asked staff to clarify what is required versus what is permissible; legal counsel and staff later signaled they would research applicable case law and statutory obligations and return with a recommendation before the next relevant meeting cycle.
What happens next: The board requested legal review and staff follow‑up on the matter. The transcript records no formal vote or new policy language at the April 30 meeting.
