Second of two parts.
Re: “No Transgender Flap in Culver City Schools”
Despite oceans of ink being spilled in newspapers heralding a transgender revolution, certain privacy issues are meticulously guarded.
How many transgender students are in the School District?
“By law, I can’t even identify if we have any transgender students,” said Drew Sotelo, director of School and Family Support Services.
Government-mandated bathroom choices are the talk of the country. For a relatively long time, Culver City transgender students have been permitted to choose their restroom, but only after a relatively arduous process.
At Culver City High School, there are gender-neutral restrooms in the campus Health Office.
Across Culver City, the School District was making provisions for transgender students two years before the recent outbreak of Washington-driven publicity that has roiled numerous communities.
Reflecting its placement in the most progressive state in America, the District appears to have sensitively, quietly welcomed transgender students – all behind a huge shield of privacy considerations.
“State law, the Education Code and our School Board policies provide that every student has a right to use the restroom of his or her gender, identity and expression,” Mr. Sotelo said.
He spoke slowly and carefully.
“Individuals who are in transition identify themselves, or their parents do, to a staff member. It might be a counselor or administrator.
“After that we convene a team to prepare an individual transition plan.”
In that meeting, said Mr. Sotelo, “we discuss with students how they want their teachers to be notified, whether they want classmates to be notified, how they should deal with any instances of harassment or bullying.
“We also cover bathroom usage. We ask them where they would be more comfortable.”
Mr. Sotelo emphasized that while transgender students choose their restroom, the decision is school in a school community environment.
“This is developed in a plan while sitting down with school administrators, counselors, school nurse, myself,” he said.
“The student chooses – whether or not the parent is there.”
Mr. Sotelo said that student preferences in P.E. and the locker rooms are examined and weighed.
