Highland County School District
Why is My County Rated Green?
The Family Foundation uses these three policies as a gauge for whether schools are safe for students and staff.
VDOE – Virginia Department of Education’s Model Policies for “The Treatment of Transgender Students” is a 27-page document with sample policies for school boards to adopt either in whole or to model after. Highland County rejected these model policies
VSBA – Virginia School Board Association’s Spring or Summer Updates add Va. Code §22.1-23.3 (Treatment of transgender students; policies) to various school policies’ legal reference including but not limited to non-discrimination, student records, educational philosophy, etc. Highland County did not adopt these policy updates.
SOGI – “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” as a protected class in non-discrimination and/or anti-harassment policies. Highland County does not have SOGI in their non-discrimination but does in their anti-harassment policy.
Will SOGI in anti-harassment compel speech regarding pronouns?
There is no known precedent of this policy being used or enforcing compel speech with chosen names or pronouns. However, due to the vague language of this policy it can be construed to mean that not using a student’s “chosen name/pronoun” equates to harassment.
Will this policy allow students to use the bathroom of their choice?
No.
Will this policy allow schools to deceive parents about a student’s “transgender status”?
No.