Laramie County school district OKs parental rights policy
CHEYENNE — In a special board meeting Wednesday night, the Laramie County School District 2 Board of Trustees unanimously passed KB and KB-R, “Parental Rights and Notices” and “Procedures for Complaints.”
“This policy is the result of some new legislation that was enacted from the Wyoming legislators this past session and gave a deadline of July 1 to implement policies that were congruent with any state statute,” Board Chairman Mike Olson said as he began Wednesday’s meeting.
Similar to the parental rights policy that Laramie County School District 1 passed on June 24, LCSD2’s Policy KB outlines in what instances a parent will be notified of a “change” with their child.
Policy KB defines change as a change in the student’s educational, physical, mental or emotional health or well-being that meets one or more of the following criteria:
. It poses a risk or threat to the safety or health of the student or others.
. It regards a mental health or medical condition that requires intervention or treatment.
. It requires a modification of the student’s educational program, services or supports, or the provision of additional or specialized services or supports, such as special education, counseling, health care or social work.
. It affects the student’s access, eligibility, participation or performance in the school district’s education program, or academic, extracurricular or co-curricular activities, or in assessments or evaluations.
. It involves a disciplinary action, sanction or consequence for the student, such as detention, suspension (in-school and out-of-school), expulsion or referral to law enforcement.
. It results from a complaint, allegation or investigation involving the student, such as bullying, harassment, discrimination or violation of rights.
The policy also details that parents will be notified one business day prior to the use of any curriculum material related to sexual orientation or gender identity. Specifically, the “School District staff will obtain written or electronic parental consent not less than one (1) day prior to any training, courses, or classes that address sexual orientation or gender identity,” according to the policy.
The policy defines “parents” as the guardians of children under the age of 18 and “instruction” as the action, practice or profession of teaching including teaching plans that address gender identity or sexual orientation.
The policy specifies that the definition of “instruction” will not include:
. Responding to a question from a student during class regarding sexual orientation or gender identity as it relates to any topic of instruction
. Referring to the sexual orientation or gender identity of any public figure, historic person or group, or fictional character where the referral provides necessary context in relation to a topic of instruction
. Student-generated schoolwork
. Student-to-student speech
. Classroom references to a person’s family
. Library books
. Extracurricular, co-curricular or student clubs,
. Dual enrollment courses taken at or from a college.
The policy also states that the district will notify parents at the beginning of the school year of routine health care services provided by the school district, allowing parents to withhold consent or decline any or all specific services.
The policy also details that prior to administering any well-being questionnaire or health screening tools to students, parents will be provided a copy of the questionnaire, and the school district will obtain written or verbal consent from the parent.
If parents feel their rights have been violated under policy KB, policy KB-R allows them to file
a complaint with the school district.
Vice chairwoman Billie Wilson’s motion to approve both policies was seconded by trustee Kendra Roeder, and the board unanimously approved both policies. Trustee Cody Nasbaum was not in attendance.
No community members attended the meeting or used the public comment section to discuss the policy.
“I think that what we’re seeing with what you would perceive as a kind of lack of public comment is actually a public trusting what the board does and what they come up with,” said board member Dave Keiter. “I think it’s important to note down that the folks that voted for us trust us.”
Registration in LCSD2 will be updated to inform parents of the two new policies.
This story was published on July 14, 2024.
