BERWICK, PA – The Berwick School District has approved two new policies regarding transgender students, addressing the use of names and access to bathrooms and locker rooms. The vote, which took place Monday evening, drew strong reactions from some members of the public while others voiced support.
One of the newly approved policies, passed with a 7-1 vote, concerns a student's name. The policy states that teachers and staff are not required to refer to students by their preferred name and may instead use a neutral alternative, such as a surname.
The school board also voted unanimously to pass a second policy. This measure requires transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that correspond to the sex they were assigned at birth.
These new policies follow a separate decision from last year, when the school district passed a rule that prevents transgender athletes from competing under their new identity.