JCPS school closures and busing mayhem in Jefferson County have taken the focus off of the school board vote on August 7 to ignore sections of SB 150, “An Act relating to children.” Most board members believe this law will be overturned in a court.
During the 2023 Regular Session of the State Legislature, SB 150 was passed over Gov. Beshear’s veto. It states in part:
The Kentucky Board of Education or the Kentucky Department of Education shall not require or recommend that a local school district keep any student information confidential from a student's parents. A district or school shall not adopt policies or procedures with the intent of keeping any student information confidential from parents. (1-5a)
Also, this Kentucky law, now Acts Chapter 132, says:
A student who asserts to school officials that his or her gender is different from his or her biological sex and whose parent or legal guardian provides written consent to school officials shall be provided with the best available accommodation, but that accommodation shall not include the use of school restrooms, locker rooms, or shower rooms designated for use by students of the opposite biological sex while students of the opposite biological sex are present or could be present. (3-4a)
The Courier-Journal reported on August 7 that the school board had passed a policy to override these requirements of SB 150.
With just two days to spare, the Jefferson County Board of Education approved a policy needed to implement Senate Bill 150, the state’s new anti-trans law…
Approved in a 5-2 vote, the policy was the third drafted by the district. Unlike the previous two versions, this one includes a special section giving students with gender dysphoria an exception. The policy recognizes gender dysphoria as a disability, explaining that it is characterized by The American Psychiatric Association as a condition causing, “psychological distress that results from an incongruence between one’s sex assigned at birth and one’s gender identity."
Since the condition is considered a disability, the policy states students with gender dysphoria could be entitled to certain accommodations, including "permitting access and use of a certain restroom for a student."
The article also noted: “During the July meeting, the board passed a resolution introduced by District 2's Chris Kolb that affirmed the rights of trans youth and agreed that the district will not reveal a student's transgender status, birth name or medical history to classmates, parents or teachers.” Litigation is ongoing. Read more.