Support for FCPS BoE Policy 444, 443, and regulation 400-36
Support for FCPS BoE Policy 444, 443, and regulation 400-36
The Issue
Dear Frederick County Public School Board of Education,
Founded in 1973, PFLAG is the first and largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and their families.
Our local PFLAG Frederick chapter and the individuals signing this petition support Educational Equity and Excellence Policy 444 as written.
As we move through the reevaluation process of POLICY 443 and FREDERICK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reg. No. 400-36 Subject: Creating Welcoming and Affirming Schools for Transgender and Gender N., we urge the Frederick County Public School Board of Education to uphold the promises in policy 443 and build on them.
We ask you to reflect on the following quotes from our state Education leaders:
“The rich diversity of our state is the strength of each school community. We are unwavering in our commitment to providing every child, of every background, the education they deserve to succeed and reach their full potential,” said Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Carey Wright and state school board President Josh Michael.
“Above all, our charge remains to ensure that all students have equal access to a high-quality education — all students, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, neighborhood, disability, socioeconomic status, or the language spoken at home," Michael and Wright said. Maryland schools won’t end diversity programs, despite Trump demands - The Baltimore Banner
Our LGBTQ+ youth do not want to be singled out and are not asking for additional special privileges. Unfortunately, there is a national political push to eliminate transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people from our community spaces and common rights. Policy 443 is needed to make clear that FCPS will build welcoming and affirming schools and spaces for all.
Policy 443 protects ALL youth. Policies that police gender cause cis gender girls to be subjected to gender tests such as invasive questioning and genital inspections. ANY student uncomfortable with the restroom, changing room, or sleeping accommodations is protected by this policy to receive a safe and respectful alternative.
According to the data there has been no increase in assaults in schools since the 2017 enactment of 443: Maryland State Department of Education: Data Downloads
Regulation 400-36 clearly states that every effort shall be made to encourage and support communication between transgender and gender nonconforming students and the student’s parent/guardian. School staff may offer to meet jointly with the parent/guardian and the student at school. School staff shall work to both support student needs as well as respect the rights of the parent/guardian to have access to student records in compliance with federal and state law. Parents/Guardians will be contacted any time there is a health or safety concern regarding the student.
As we can see by the September 2011 case in Chino Valley, Forced Outing Policies are unacceptable. As Attorney General Bonta said, “Let this decision send a clear message to other school districts that have passed or are contemplating similar policies: discriminatory policies will not be tolerated in our educational institutions. I urge all school districts to take note and ensure every student, including LGBTQ+ students, can enjoy their right to learn and thrive in a school environment that promotes safety, privacy, and inclusivity.” - Attorney General Bonta: Superior Court's Final Ruling Against Chino Valley's Forced Outing Policy Upholds Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students' Civil Rights
Protecting a student’s affirmed name and pronouns are also supported by the following facts:
Fewer than 1 in 3 transgender and nonbinary youth found their home to be gender-affirming - The Trevor Project: 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health
13% of LGBTQ+ young people reported being threatened with or subjected to conversion therapy- 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People.
28% of LGBTQ youth reported experiencing homelessness or housing instability at some point in their lives- Homelessness and Housing Instability Among LGBTQ Youth
PFLAG Frederick and the individual citizens who have signed this petition recommend the following:
443.1, 443.2 443.3, 443.4, 443.5 (b), 443.7, 443.8, 443.9 and Regulation 400-36: Change the term “preferred” to “affirmed and updated” name and pronoun and add intersex to title and throughout. Otherwise we recommend that these sections should remain as written.
443.5(a): Middle school and High School Teachers can ask students for affirmed name and affirmed pronouns on in-class documents such as: "Get to Know You" or similar types of worksheets or verbally individually. These affirmed and updated names and pronouns should be marked on attendance sheets and seating charts for co teachers, paraprofessionals, and substitute teachers to use unless asked not to by students. Affirmed names and pronouns for all students will be used for them in every interaction, unless the interaction could compromise student privacy.
443.6: All existing facilities that are designed to be used by only one person at a time shall be re-labeled as “gender-neutral” or ”all gender” as recommended by GLSEN’s checklist for schools. -Checklist: LGBTQI+ Policies for School Districts
Each floor of each new school building shall have student access to at least one gender neutral restroom and that consideration is given to this matter in the planning of changing rooms as well.
We encourage schools to carefully consider the locking of restrooms during the school day as this adds to the overcrowding of restrooms. We hear of many young people who drink and eat little during the school day in order to avoid the restrooms.
443.10 Training and Professional Development: In addition to the current writing in this section, training for staff must each year explicitly include that the district expectations are to be followed despite confusing rhetoric from national sources.
It is essential that staff are given training on how to interrupt bullying and microaggressions to support our diverse student body.
These two facts emphasize the importance of continuing 443.10 :
LGBTQ+ youth with access to sex education that addressed sexual orientation and gender identity were less likely to report missing school due to feeling unsafe.GLSEN’s Inclusive Learning Research Brief, July 2024
Learning about LGBTQ people or issues in schools is associated with significantly lower odds of past year suicide attempt amoung LGBTQ + students. -Is Your School LGBTQ-Affirming?
Add: Additional encouragement of visual allyship: All schools should provide laminated safe space signs that teachers and staff can hang in their rooms which should be replaced when damaged so they are up to date. Specify that staff and teachers are allowed to use pronouns in their introductions and list their pronouns in their email signature.
Add: provide teacher stipends and other incentives (such as sponsorship is in place of a chaperone duty) to encourage GSA’s in all our middle and high schools as the presence of Gender and Sexualities Alliances has been found to significantly reduce the risk for depression and increase well-being among LGBTQ youth and young adults. -Is Your School LGBTQ-Affirming?
PFLAG Frederick Chapter, pflagfrederick@gmail.com
Board Members:
Dana Mooney, President
Peter Brehm, Treasurer
Trish Whipp, Membership Coordinator
Ed Mooney, Advocacy Coordinator
1,100
The Issue
Dear Frederick County Public School Board of Education,
Founded in 1973, PFLAG is the first and largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and their families.
Our local PFLAG Frederick chapter and the individuals signing this petition support Educational Equity and Excellence Policy 444 as written.
As we move through the reevaluation process of POLICY 443 and FREDERICK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reg. No. 400-36 Subject: Creating Welcoming and Affirming Schools for Transgender and Gender N., we urge the Frederick County Public School Board of Education to uphold the promises in policy 443 and build on them.
We ask you to reflect on the following quotes from our state Education leaders:
“The rich diversity of our state is the strength of each school community. We are unwavering in our commitment to providing every child, of every background, the education they deserve to succeed and reach their full potential,” said Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Carey Wright and state school board President Josh Michael.
“Above all, our charge remains to ensure that all students have equal access to a high-quality education — all students, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, neighborhood, disability, socioeconomic status, or the language spoken at home," Michael and Wright said. Maryland schools won’t end diversity programs, despite Trump demands - The Baltimore Banner
Our LGBTQ+ youth do not want to be singled out and are not asking for additional special privileges. Unfortunately, there is a national political push to eliminate transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people from our community spaces and common rights. Policy 443 is needed to make clear that FCPS will build welcoming and affirming schools and spaces for all.
Policy 443 protects ALL youth. Policies that police gender cause cis gender girls to be subjected to gender tests such as invasive questioning and genital inspections. ANY student uncomfortable with the restroom, changing room, or sleeping accommodations is protected by this policy to receive a safe and respectful alternative.
According to the data there has been no increase in assaults in schools since the 2017 enactment of 443: Maryland State Department of Education: Data Downloads
Regulation 400-36 clearly states that every effort shall be made to encourage and support communication between transgender and gender nonconforming students and the student’s parent/guardian. School staff may offer to meet jointly with the parent/guardian and the student at school. School staff shall work to both support student needs as well as respect the rights of the parent/guardian to have access to student records in compliance with federal and state law. Parents/Guardians will be contacted any time there is a health or safety concern regarding the student.
As we can see by the September 2011 case in Chino Valley, Forced Outing Policies are unacceptable. As Attorney General Bonta said, “Let this decision send a clear message to other school districts that have passed or are contemplating similar policies: discriminatory policies will not be tolerated in our educational institutions. I urge all school districts to take note and ensure every student, including LGBTQ+ students, can enjoy their right to learn and thrive in a school environment that promotes safety, privacy, and inclusivity.” - Attorney General Bonta: Superior Court's Final Ruling Against Chino Valley's Forced Outing Policy Upholds Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students' Civil Rights
Protecting a student’s affirmed name and pronouns are also supported by the following facts:
Fewer than 1 in 3 transgender and nonbinary youth found their home to be gender-affirming - The Trevor Project: 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health
13% of LGBTQ+ young people reported being threatened with or subjected to conversion therapy- 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People.
28% of LGBTQ youth reported experiencing homelessness or housing instability at some point in their lives- Homelessness and Housing Instability Among LGBTQ Youth
PFLAG Frederick and the individual citizens who have signed this petition recommend the following:
443.1, 443.2 443.3, 443.4, 443.5 (b), 443.7, 443.8, 443.9 and Regulation 400-36: Change the term “preferred” to “affirmed and updated” name and pronoun and add intersex to title and throughout. Otherwise we recommend that these sections should remain as written.
443.5(a): Middle school and High School Teachers can ask students for affirmed name and affirmed pronouns on in-class documents such as: "Get to Know You" or similar types of worksheets or verbally individually. These affirmed and updated names and pronouns should be marked on attendance sheets and seating charts for co teachers, paraprofessionals, and substitute teachers to use unless asked not to by students. Affirmed names and pronouns for all students will be used for them in every interaction, unless the interaction could compromise student privacy.
443.6: All existing facilities that are designed to be used by only one person at a time shall be re-labeled as “gender-neutral” or ”all gender” as recommended by GLSEN’s checklist for schools. -Checklist: LGBTQI+ Policies for School Districts
Each floor of each new school building shall have student access to at least one gender neutral restroom and that consideration is given to this matter in the planning of changing rooms as well.
We encourage schools to carefully consider the locking of restrooms during the school day as this adds to the overcrowding of restrooms. We hear of many young people who drink and eat little during the school day in order to avoid the restrooms.
443.10 Training and Professional Development: In addition to the current writing in this section, training for staff must each year explicitly include that the district expectations are to be followed despite confusing rhetoric from national sources.
It is essential that staff are given training on how to interrupt bullying and microaggressions to support our diverse student body.
These two facts emphasize the importance of continuing 443.10 :
LGBTQ+ youth with access to sex education that addressed sexual orientation and gender identity were less likely to report missing school due to feeling unsafe.GLSEN’s Inclusive Learning Research Brief, July 2024
Learning about LGBTQ people or issues in schools is associated with significantly lower odds of past year suicide attempt amoung LGBTQ + students. -Is Your School LGBTQ-Affirming?
Add: Additional encouragement of visual allyship: All schools should provide laminated safe space signs that teachers and staff can hang in their rooms which should be replaced when damaged so they are up to date. Specify that staff and teachers are allowed to use pronouns in their introductions and list their pronouns in their email signature.
Add: provide teacher stipends and other incentives (such as sponsorship is in place of a chaperone duty) to encourage GSA’s in all our middle and high schools as the presence of Gender and Sexualities Alliances has been found to significantly reduce the risk for depression and increase well-being among LGBTQ youth and young adults. -Is Your School LGBTQ-Affirming?
PFLAG Frederick Chapter, pflagfrederick@gmail.com
Board Members:
Dana Mooney, President
Peter Brehm, Treasurer
Trish Whipp, Membership Coordinator
Ed Mooney, Advocacy Coordinator
1,100
The Decision Makers
Supporter Voices
Petition created on May 3, 2025