Dover Area schools proposed gender identity policy debated at board meeting

The Dover Area School Board heard public comment Tuesday night on a proposed policy regarding transgender students developed by Harrisburg-based religious law firm Independence Law Center.

Parents, students and community members expressed their feelings about the policy in question, some in support of it and others in opposition to it.

Policy 216.2 was the topic of discussion during the public comment portion of the meeting.

The policy states that it "ensures that the fundamental right of parents to direct the education of their children is respected and that material information about a student's mental, emotional, or physical health is not withheld from parents/guardians."

According to the policy, it also "recognizes that parental/guardian involvement at the earliest possible time promotes the best outcome for students’ mental, emotional, and physical health, and their academic success."

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'A teacher's beliefs can trump the well-being of a child'

Former Dover board member Barrie Callahan said a section of the proposed policy concerned her.

Section D of the policy called "mutual respect" states "a student wishing to change his or her means of address will be treated with respect in the classroom and school environment. Similarly, students or school personnel shall not be forced to use language inconsistent with their beliefs and are to be treated with respect."

"I think this is so incredibly cruel to do to a child," Callahan said. "I can't imagine how a teacher's beliefs can trump the well-being of a child."

One commenter who said they use they/them pronouns, mentioned that while their parents accept their name change and pronoun use, not all youth have that support.

"Kids who have parents that aren't supportive are more likely to experience child abuse if the parents figure out the child is LGBTQ+. If the student goes by their birth name instead, that can be incredibly harmful to the student's mental health," they said.

Ben Sorbello, associate pastor of Friendship Community Church, recited a Bible verse that God create people as male and female. "I think we all know how many genders we have," he said.

He urged board members to trust their convictions, stating, "It's not about pleasing everyone; it's about saving what's right and true."

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'I just ask that you trust us'

Board members responded to public comments at the end of the meeting Tuesday, saying they have heard the community's thoughts and will consider everyone throughout the process of finalizing the policy.

"In regard to public comment, I just want to say, you're all being heard - we're taking into account every word," board member Carmen Witmer said. "I just ask that you trust us − I know that's hard to say now with the frustration that's already come out around the policies."

Board member Heidi Mease added the policies the district receives are often implemented and well-vetted by attorneys and PSPA.

"There's not a whole lot of wiggle-room for us to make when it comes to policies because there's so many regulations and laws that we have to abide by," she said.

The board did not vote on the policy but could vote at its meeting Thursday, June 20.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Dover schools proposed gender identity policy debated at board meeting