The latest DISD policy changes haven’t generated the media hype that an anti-bullying policy did last fall, when news crews surrounded Resource Center Dallas’ Rafael McDonnell outside a board meeting.
A few weeks ago we reported that the Dallas school board is considering a series of policy changes designed to protect transgender students and employees against discrimination and harassment.
Well, it looks like the changes — in the form of amendments to six separate DISD policies — are on now the board’s Consent Agenda for its regular meeting this Thursday, meaning there’s no opposition and they’re expected to be approved without discussion.
The DISD board went over the changes during a briefing session two weeks ago.
“There was actually very little discussion of it at all,” said Resource Center Dallas’ Rafael McDonnell, who attended the briefing session. “There was more time talking about the addition of ‘genetic information,’ which is a federal requirement, than there was about adding gender identity or gender expression.
“I think in this case it shows the trustees remember the discussion we had last fall when the bullying policy was passed,” McDonnell said. “They were already familiar with the concept of gender identity and expression.”
McDonnell said DISD will become the third district in the state to ban discrimination and harassment based on gender identity and expression.
“I think this is an incredibly positive step for DISD,” he said. “We’d love to see other districts follow in the footsteps of Fort Worth ISD, Houston ISD and DISD.”
Thursday’s meeting is at 5:30 p.m. at DISD headquarters, 3700 Ross Ave.
