BY RYAN REYNOLDS
Cy-Fair ISD passes student pronoun policy In a 5-1 vote on Jan. 16, the Cy-Fair ISD school board approved a new “parent rights and respon- sibilities” policy that will require sta to notify parents if their child requests to use a name or pronouns that diers from their biological sex. Natalie Blasingame, vice president of the CFISD school board, proposed the policy, which would require parents to submit a written request for an accommodation allowing their child to use preferred pronouns at school. The policy also includes a provision that allows sta to request an accommodation if using a student’s preferred pronouns conicts with their own “sincerely held belief,” according to district
Health class no longer required to graduate The Cy-Fair ISD board of trustees voted 4-2 at the Jan. 16 meeting to remove the Health I course as a graduation requirement. Trustees Julie Hinaman and Natalie Blasin- game opposed the motion, and President Scott Henry was absent. Following a recommendation from the School Health Advisory Council, the course will be oered as an elective instead. According to the district’s course descrip- tion, this class covers “knowledge and behaviors [students] use to safeguard their health,” including abstinence-based sex education. What happens next? Making health class an elective means content required by state law will be inte- grated into other subjects.
“[Teachers] had general concerns that they didn’t agree with the use of maybe a biological boy using pronouns for a female, and a couple people actually told me it was religious, and there was also a few people that told me they just didn’t believe in it.” TODD LECOMPTE, CYFAIR ISD TRUSTEE
“By mandating that parents be notied that their student wants to use a dierent name and pronouns, you
are outing that child to their parents, and there is a very real risk of imminent rejection and harm for that child within their family.”
documents. Public input
MANDY GILES, FOUNDER OF PARENTS OF TRANS YOUTH
More than 30 speakers addressed the board in January with just two supporting the policy.
As your public health system, we’re here for those in need. In a region with so many unable to afford insurance, it’s a monumental responsibility. And a distinct privilege. We provide all our patients exceptional medical, mental health, dental and vision care, along with vital outreach programs and resources. Because it protects the health and safety of our entire community. Because it’s the right thing to do. You may not know our name. And that’s okay.
YOU’LL KNOW US BY THE WORK WE DO.
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CYFAIR EDITION
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