Education Policy
I support Governor Youngkin's Virginia Department of Education policies. My opponent does not. These policies state:
Student participation in sex-specific school activities and events and use of school facilities.
1. For any school program, event, or activity (including extracurricular
activities) that are separated by sex, the appropriate participation of students
shall be determined by sex rather than gender or gender identity. [School
Division] shall provide reasonable modifications to this policy only to the
extent required by law.
2. Where state or federal law requires schools to permit transgender students
to share otherwise sex-segregated facilities (such as bathrooms or locker
rooms) with students of the opposite sex, parents should be given the right
to opt their child out of using such facilities, and the child should be given
access to alternative facilities that promote the child’s privacy and safety.
Eligible students should also be given the right to opt out of using such
facilities and be given access to alternative facilities.
3. Overnight travel accommodations, locker rooms, and other intimate spaces
used for school-related activities and events shall be based on sex. [School
Division] shall provide reasonable modifications to this policy only to the
extent required by law.
4. Students shall use bathrooms that correspond to his or her sex, except to the extent that federal law otherwise requires. See Grimm v. Gloucester County
School Board, 972 F.3d 586 (4th Cir. 2020).
5. Single-user bathrooms and facilities should be made available in accessible
areas and provided with appropriate signage, indicating accessibility for all
students.
6. Students with a diagnosis of gender dysphoria made by a licensed health
care provider should consult with their school’s ADA coordinator regarding
any requested services.
Athletics
For any athletic program or activity that is separated by sex, the appropriate
participation of students shall be determined by sex rather than gender or gender identity. [School Division] shall provide reasonable modifications to this policy only to the extent required by law.
Click here to read the entire Model Policies on Ensuring Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginia’s Public Schools
Regarding book selection in schools:
I am an advocate of parental rights. When it comes to sexually explicit content, I believe in:
1) Ensuring parental notification;
2) Directly identifying the specific instructional material and explicit subjects;
and
3) Permitting the parent of any student to review instructional material that includes sexually explicit content and provide, as an alternative, nonexplicit instructional material and related academic activities to any student whose parents so requests.
The Virginia legislature and Governor Youngkin believe in these things as well and signed them into law in April 2022. Click here to read the Code of Virgina.
As a school board member, I will ensure that MCPS policies are appropriately aligned with the policies put forward by Governor Youngkin's Virginia Department of Education policies. I will also ensure that these policies are being appropriately applied and that parents are made aware of their rights under these policies.