At the December 9, 2020 Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD) School Board meeting, the Board of Education approved a Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Student Policy that fosters an educational environment from PreK through Adult Education that is safe, welcoming, and free from stigma and discrimination for all students, regardless of gender identity or expression. The Policy facilitates compliance with local, state and federal laws concerning bullying, harassment, privacy, and discrimination, and ensures that all BUSD students have the opportunity to express themselves and live authentically.
The Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Student Policy was developed with input from the School Board, educators and students. The Policy includes protections involving privacy; official records; names and pronouns; gender segregated activities; student information systems; restroom accessibility; school curriculum; locker room accessibility; physical education classes and intramural sports; interscholastic competitive sports teams; dress codes; other gender-based activities, rules, policies and practices; student transitions; discrimination and harassment; transferring a student to another school (opportunity transfers); as well as training and professional development.
“The Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Student Policy is designed to support a safe and welcoming educational environment for every district student, allowing all students to learn in our schools while free from discrimination or stigma and regardless of their gender identity or expression,” said Superintendent Brent Stephens. ”We help all students rise when we assure them they will be free to express themselves and live authentically in our schools.”
The Berkeley community can proudly claim a long history of leadership in battling discrimination. The Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Student Policy strongly aligns with Berkeley’s community values.
