Citing safety concerns, Caldwell puts off hearing on gender identity policy for schools
The Caldwell School District Board of Trustees has called off a hearing scheduled for Monday regarding a policy on gender identity and sexual orientation in schools, saying it has “safety concerns.”
The board also said it would consult with police to make sure future meetings are safe, a week after attendees shouted at members and called them names.
“After careful consideration and due to safety concerns, Caldwell School District Trustees will not be holding a Public Hearing on Proposed Policy 3281,” Jessica Watts, director of communications for the district, said in an email announcement.
Watts told the Idaho Statesman in an email that “the volume and content of emails Board Members have received” caused part of the safety concerns. She also said the district needs time to meet and plan with the Caldwell Police Department “for safety in a large venue. “
“The Trustees will be working with (police) to create a plan to ensure the safety of participants at all future meetings because the safety of our students, parents, patrons, and staff is of utmost importance,” Watts said in the public announcement.
Idaho Education News reported that more 90 students and Caldwell residents attended the Jan. 9 school board meeting about the policy. Trustees ended the meeting early after attendees became unruly. Some yelled at board members, calling them “cowards” and “unethical.”
Newly elected state Sen. Chris Trakel, R-Caldwell, said the board would be putting all students’ “moral health and safety at risk” by enacting the policy and allowing students to use locker rooms that align with their gender identity.
Trakel at one point chastised board Chair Marisela Pesina to listen after she briefly spoke to another trustee.
Travis Manning, the board’s vice chair, blamed Trakel for the meeting’s disorder on social media.
“Last night’s Caldwell School Board chaos was orchestrated by Idaho Sen. Chris Trakel, who doesn’t believe ID boards have the legal right to run their own (meetings) or set policy,” Manning tweeted.
The policy for schools being considered would:
- Allow students to use bathrooms and locker rooms aligning with their gender identity.
- Protect students from being denied participation in overnight trips due to their sexual orientation.
- Require staff to use a student’s preferred name and pronouns.
- Protect students’ privacy in regard to personal information, such as sexual orientation and legal name.
- Protect the rights of same-sex couples to attend school activities, including dances, and prohibit general discrimination against those couples.
In light of the cancellation, “Caldwell School District patrons” may provide written comments on the proposed policy by emailing the school board’s clerk at kcheney@caldwellschools.org. Those wishing to do so will be required to provide a name, address and phone number.
This story was originally published January 17, 2023 at 6:10 PM.
