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Gender Inclusion Policy Action Plan

Project Overview
The students of Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) deserve respectful and inclusive learning environments that value
students gender identity and gender expression. SPPS will ensure that all students have access to programming and
facilities in which they feel comfortable and safe. A Gender Inclusion policy with accompanying implementation
procedures will be developed in collaboration with stakeholders. The purpose of the policy is to clearly establish gender
equity throughout SPPS operations and programs.
Students have reported not feeling safe, respected, or valued based upon issues related to gender while participating in
SPPS programming. Some students are being denied their right of having their gender identity and gender expression
valued by adults. In addition, students are experiencing added levels of marginalization by being forced to use sexseparated facilities and being denied to participate in academic and athletic programming that align with students
gender identity and gender expression. Students, families, and SPPS administrators have sought additional support to
hold district staff accountable for gender inclusion.
SPPS staff and School Board are working together to create a policy to address systemic gender inequities. The proposed
policy will be focused on four primary commitments:
1. Respecting students gender identity and gender expression by requiring SPPS staff and systems to honor the
right of students to be addressed by their preferred name and pronoun.
2. School programs will not separate students based upon gender unless it serves as a compelling pedagogical tool.
3. Permit all students to participate in intramural and interscholastic athletics in a manner consistent with their
gender identity.
4. Provide students access to facilities in which they feel safe and comfortable.
Procedures will be created in collaboration with stakeholders and developed in parallel to the Gender Inclusion Policy.
Procedures will be finalized and ready for publishing when the policy is approved by the Board of Education.
Action to Date:
Meetings explaining the four main tenets of policy to various district leadership including school principals and
Cabinet
Small group feedback sessions with high school students, teachers, and administrators
Multiple policy work group meetings reviewing relevant research and case studies from across the United States
Advocacy in support of a Transgender Student Athlete Policy at the Minnesota State High School League
Outreach to local and national LGBTQ advocacy groups seeking information about effective gender inclusion
policies
Discussions with the Facilities Master Plan committee and analyzing facilities related blueprints
Final Decision Process
The policy draft will be approved by the gender inclusion policy work group and then forwarded onto the full School
Board for the first reading.
Procedures will be developed in collaboration with stakeholders and ultimately vetted and approved by the
Superintendent.

Gender Inclusion Policy Action Plan <Working Draft>

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How we will work with the community to shape the project

Conditions for Success: The things we must do
Explain that this policy is for all students; not simply an LGBTQ issue
Share student narratives but protect anonymity of our youth
Share family support narratives
Be prepared to dispel myths through educating stakeholders about gender equity
Myth of competitive advantages
Myth that gender inclusion policies would be abused i.e. cis-gender males declaring they are trans* to gain
access to female facilities
Educating SPPS staff about gender equity including developing a baseline of understanding of common
definitions

Community Engagement Process and Timeline

Engagement Objective: To consult with students, families, SPPS staff, and ally organizations about policy content and to
collaborate on procedural content.
Stakeholder outreach will not be an endeavor of if we should move forward with a policy, but rather process of
explaining why we are engaged in this effort and seeking information on how to best implement the policy.
School Scenario 1: No change

Community Engagement Implementation Plan

Roles and Responsibilities
Task
Stakeholder outreach
scheduling

Responsible SPPS staff or Department

Ryan Vernosh
Donielle Simmons
Office of Community Engagement
Out for Equity

Professional
Development/Education

OTL
Out for Equity
Office of Equity

Release of Any Public

Communications

Communication specialist (TBD)

Receive and distribute

questions to appropriate
staff

Communication specialist (TBD)

Gender Inclusion Policy Action Plan <Working Draft>

Additional notes

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Attend outreach sessions

SPPS staff as assigned

Board members as available

Regular updates to the

Board

Ryan Vernosh

Revisions of draft policy

Procedure Drafts

Ryan Vernosh
Gender Inclusion Policy Work
Group
Ryan Vernosh

Student Records;
paperwork; Campus
implications

Ryan Vernosh
Joel Swanson
Kristin Lynch (?)

CE Stage 1: Research and Initial Policy Work Group Meetings (Completed in February 2014)
Purpose

Share research and policy rationale with Board Policy Work Group members

Objectives

Understand the need and implications of a SPPS gender inclusion policy

Timing/activities Board work group meetings to discuss initial draft

Outputs

Tenets of a Gender Inclusion Policy Draft

CE Stage 2: Initial SPPS Administration Feedback (Completed May 2014)

Purpose

Meet with SPPS principals

Objectives

Learn of principal perspectives relating to the need of a policy and their initial feedback about
the four tenets of the draft policy

Timing/activities March 2014 May 2014: Individual meetings with principals

May 2014: Presentation at elementary and secondary principal meetings
Outputs

Documentation of principal feedback

CE Stage 3: Initial Stakeholder Outreach (Completed May 2014)

Purpose

Understand youth and ally organization perspective of the need for a gender inclusion policy

Objective

Listen to personal narratives and to gain feedback (consult) about the proposed four tenets of
the draft policy.

Gender Inclusion Policy Action Plan <Working Draft>

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Timing/activities March May 2014: Stakeholder information and feedback sessions
Outputs

Documentation of each session with lessons learned

CE Stage 4: In-depth Stakeholder Consultation and Collaboration

Purpose

Meet with variety of stakeholder groups

Objectives

Gain consultative feedback about four tenets of the draft policy

Gain collaborative feedback about the procedures attached to each policy tenant.

Timing/activities October - December 2014: Stakeholder meetings

Outputs
Date
10-21-14
10-24-14

Documentation of stakeholder feedback

Stakeholder Group
Youth LGBTQ Drop In
Youth Friday evening event
Elementary Teachers
Secondary Teachers
Athletics
Administrators
Ally Families
Ally Organizations
Target elementary schools (JJ
Hill; Wellstone; 4-Seasons;
SAP)
SPPS Facilities Dept
SPPS custodial staff
Student Records; Campus

Gender Inclusion Policy Action Plan <Working Draft>

Facilitator
Ryan Vernosh
Ryan Vernosh

Attendance
10
5

Additional Notes

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