School jurisdictions in Central Alberta expect to meet the March 31 deadline to have policy in place to provide an inclusive environment for LGBTQ students.
Provincial law requires all school boards — public, separate, francophone and charter — to have policies by the end of March to create safe learning environments for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer students. Support for the establishment of gay-straight alliances and queer-straight alliances must be included.
Recommendations for the policy include allowing LGBTQ students to dress, have safe access to washrooms and changing facilities, and participate in sports and extra-curricular activities according to their gender identity.
Paul Mason, superintendent at Red Deer Regional Catholic School Division, said school trustees will be reviewing the jurisdiction’s safe and caring school policy at Tuesday’s school board meeting in light of Alberta Education’s policy guidelines to meet the needs of LGBTQ students.
“The board will direct administration if any revisions are needed or necessary. Administration will bring forward recommendations. Then it will go out for consultation and review by school staff and parents as well,” Mason said.
He said there will be enough time to have policy in place by the deadline.
“We believe that we are onside and will continue to be inclusive of all students.”
Existing safe and caring policy has been in place for many years, is reviewed annually, and has proven very effective, he said.
“Currently we have what could be described as an umbrella policy that ensure that all students are provided safe and caring, welcoming, inclusive environments. Discrimination in our schools is not tolerated.”
For example, Red Deer Catholic already provides safe access to washroom and change-room facilities, he said.
“In dealing with our transgender and LGBTQ students, we have been able to successfully work with students and families and school staff in meeting those students’ needs,” Mason said.
In a letter to parents, dated Jan. 20, Mason said, “We regret Alberta Education’s lack of consultation in the development of these guidelines but we will endeavor to create an acceptable solution that remains true to our stakeholders and respects the wisdom of our Catholic teachings.”
The division also encouraged parents to review the guidelines and share their opinions with their local MLA, Education Minister David Eggen and Premier Rachel Notley.
Trustees with Chinook’s Edge School Division approved its Welcoming, Caring, Respectful and Safe Learning Environments Policy on Jan. 13.
Administration is now working on administrative procedure around sexual orientation and gender identity to support the policy.
Kurt Sacher, Chinook’s Edge superintendent, said his division was working on policy even before the Education Minister came out with guidelines.
He said the division has not had any issues and doesn’t anticipate any by putting in the policy and procedure in writing.
“We don’t anticipate a significant change to our day to day operations. We worked really hard as a division to create a safe and caring culture, a safe and caring environment,” Sacher said.
“At the moment we’re dealing with a handful of students relative to the whole notion of gender identity. Our schools have worked very closely with the students involved and the families, making appropriate arrangements.”
He said there was no opposition to the policy prior to approval, but some parents are now coming forward with questions after concerns have been raised elsewhere in Alberta. Recently Edmonton’s Catholic school board sent parents a letter from a Calgary bishop who condemned the policy.
“We’re just trying to reassure them we were safe and caring, we’ll continue to be safe and caring. We’re just trying to go to the next level to really do the right thing with those students that are dealing with issues around sexual orientation and gender identity,” Sacher said.
On Dec. 9, Red Deer Public Schools trustees gave final approval to the district’s sexual orientation and gender identity policy to provide an inclusive environment for sexual or gender minority students, employees and families.
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com