ACCOMACK COUNTY, Va. -- The Accomack County School Board has adopted a new gender policy. It will make parental control the 'new norm' for conversations around gender and gender identity.
Rhonda Hall, Accomack Schools Superintendent, said this is the right move for parents.
"It's keeping parents informed all the way, because parents need to know what's going on," said Hall.
The new policy states that if a student under the age of 18 wants to change their pronouns, a parent must sign off first. The same goes for a student who wants in school counseling to discuss gender identity.
It requires school staff to refer to each student using pronouns that go with the sex appearing on a students official record, unless an 18 year old student or parent instructs the school otherwise.
The new policy rolls over to athletics as well. Participation in sports will be determined by sex rather than gender identity.
Breanna Diaz with Virginia's ACLU said it's a system that does not line up current laws.
"The model policies conflict with state and federal law regarding trans protections as well as conflicting with the 2020 law establishing their creation," said Diaz.
Diaz referenced a policy drawn up by the Virginia Board of Education in 2020 related to anti-bullying, harassment and facility access for trans students. Diaz feels the new policy, which was drafted this year, is a step back.
“On July 18th of 2023, anti-trans model policies that now place school districts at risk of violating state and federal law, should they adopt them," said Diaz. "In addition to creating a hostile and unsafe school environment for transgender youth.”
But Hall said that won't be the case, and if a student and their family wishes to change pronouns, that wish will be honored.
"If the parent puts that in writing that they want little Rhonda to be referred to as a he, then we do it," said Hall.
Another concern Diaz brought up were gender neutral bathrooms, something Accomack schools do provide. At Nandua Middle School, two are located in the main office and two are located in the teachers lounge.
At the moment, those bathrooms are labeled as "faculty bathrooms" but the NMS principal said they are working to get new signs installed.
We also spoke with an Accomack County parent, who said they are 100% for parents being involved in this matter. He said learning should be the focal point, not gender or sexuality and feels this new policy could help make that happen.