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Community members urge Stonington Board to address gender identity policies, facilities and athletics
Summary
Multiple residents urged the Stonington Board of Education to add agenda items addressing gender identity policies, expressing concerns about bathroom and locker-room access and participation on girls' sports teams; the Board said it will monitor federal guidance and legal developments.
Multiple community members used the public-comment period at the Feb. 19 Stonington Board of Education meeting to press the Board to take up gender identity policies governing facility access and participation in girls' athletics.
Speakers including Michael Evering, Shawn Drake, Sean Healey, Rob Emery, David Brown and Audra Hull raised concerns about biological males using female changing areas and bathrooms and participating on female sports teams. Several speakers asked the Board to add the issue to a future agenda and to review existing district policies and State and federal guidance.
For example, Michael Evering commented on students' "biological status," use of changing areas and bathrooms and said he had communicated with district administrators, the superintendent, the principal and the SHS athletic director about existing policies and legal requirements. Shawn Drake and Sean Healey similarly voiced concerns about privacy and girls' safety; Rob Emery asked that the Board craft an acceptable resolution. Several commenters also opposed changes to the proposed Graduation Policy.
Other public commenters raised additional concerns on separate topics: Katie Fuller urged the Board to advocate for restoring the Deans Mill librarian position and to prioritize student experience; Blunt White submitted a document on declining enrollment and suggested improvements to the budget presentation; Katie Quinlin sought clearer guidance on fundraising paperwork; Ashley Tewell asked for more precise language about "in a reasonable time" in the Parental Access to Instruction Materials policy and said she was disappointed the Columbus Day discussion was not on the agenda. Bill Heughins urged the district to prioritize diversity and inclusion.
Chair Farouk Rajab acknowledged the community's concerns about gender identity and said the Board is committed to promoting a positive school environment for all students. Rajab added the Board will monitor developments in federal law, guidance and policy. The meeting record shows the Board did not take formal action on gender identity policies at this session; the Policy Subcommittee noted many items were at first read and will return for a vote after a period of review and community feedback.
The public-comment period captured strongly held and conflicting views from residents; the Board's recorded response was to review community input and await further policy discussion.
