The Virginia Beach School Board adopted amendments to its non-discrimination policy policy Tuesday night in a 7-3 vote.
The board approved the revisions giving the superintendent the authority to create procedures and regulations that align with the state Department of Education’s transgender model policy. Changes made by the superintendent will be made public.
Virginia Public schools are required by law to amend their current policy or adopt the state’s model policy to protect students who identify as transgender and nonbinary.
The policy revision was an agenda item at the last Virginia Beach School Board meeting but board members were unable to vote due to meeting rules. Action items introduced for the first time in that same meeting states they must be reviewed and discussed first. The Boar d can then vote on the item during the next meeting.
Among those who spoke during last night’s public comment period was transgender activist Gavin Grimm who recently won his long-running lawsuit against Gloucester Schools for transgender discrimination. His suit went to the Supreme Court and took five years to settle.
Monday night, the Chesapeake School Board also revised its current nondiscrimination policy to include protections for all students and staff regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. Chesapeake’s policy is the minimum required by the state, but it does set a precedent for future policy.
