06-03-2025
D11 School Board votes for parental consent in name change policy
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The Colorado Springs School District 11 (D11) Board of Education has voted to integrate a new name-change policy that would require parental consent.
The new ACA policy directs the superintendent to develop a process for a student to request the use of a chosen name to reflect their gender identity. Therefore, students and parents/guardians must request a change to their legal name or gender on their official student record, and it would only be recognized after parents were notified.
The new policy has sparked conversations about discrimination and even 'sidestepping' a state law. According to board member Julie Ott, the school board had received many emails about the subject, which the board hadn't 'in a long time on one subject.'
Earlier in February, the Colorado Springs Education Association opposed the policy, stating it went against HB24-1039, an act that requires schools to address students by their chosen name. The act states that it is discriminatory to knowingly use another name other than the student's chosen name, and refusal to address the student by that name allows the student to file a report with the school or a federal civil rights complaint.
The policy now states the district will work with students and families to stay consistent with privacy laws.
'The District will work with students and their families to keep personally identifiable information related to gender identity confidential in accordance with state and federal privacy laws,' the policy stated.
Previously, the D11 School Board had said the policy was about being transparent and unbiased with parents.
'When it comes to this vote, I would be voting yes because I cannot in good conscience separate kids from their parents,' said board member Sandra Bankes. 'What we do is hopefully do the best that we can possibly do and be open to having conversations and if we all hold together to the belief that we want to raise self-assured confident kids into adults, then that's our goal.'
The Board had to make a decision by Wednesday, March 5. The policy was adopted in a 5-1 vote.
'In this culture and in this political climate, we should be allies to our transgender children and those who are also non-binary,' said Julie Ott. 'That is if we want our students to be in welcoming and inclusive schools and that has always been one of my goals and why I'm here. This policy does not promote welcoming, inclusive, safe, or affirming schools.'
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