DCPS reworks existing student support guide to coincide with Parental Rights in Education law

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Duval County Public Schools is looking to revamp its LGBTQ+ student support guide to better mirror the new Parental Rights in Education law.

In a workshop Tuesday morning, the school board discussed the guide and introduced new parent notification procedures.

STORY: ‘He’s been known to pull his gun out:’ 911 calls released in St. Johns murder-suicide; suspect named

Per the new Florida law, DCPS staff shall notify a student’s parent or legal guardian by email if there is a change in the student’s mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being.

These new provisions also come to light in a revised version of the LGBTQ+ support guide.

The only exception per the law and per DCPS is:

“School personnel are permitted to withhold such information from a parent if a reasonably prudent person would believe that such disclosure would result in abuse, abandonment, or neglect as those terms are defined in Florida Statute 39.01.”

Even then, parents voiced their concerns about personnel outing children if they come out at school.

“I really am very concerned about the privacy rights of these children,” one parent said during public comment.

Retired counselor Judy Sheklin says she’s worried that this law will limit support for LGBTQ+ students.

“My concern now is that I’d have to offer a disclaimer, if I was still working, I’m retired, about students sharing with me sexual orientation issues, gender identity issues which would shut down their willingness to reach out,” Sheklin said.

Others said the school shouldn’t try to hide information from parents.

“When you create procedures that separate our children from parents you will lose,” another parent said during public comment. “Please focus on academics instead of activism. Our community is begging you to do better.”

The topic of parental notification was only the beginning.

The district also outlines guidelines on social events, athletics and field trips.

The district states it may not exclude same-sex couples from prom or other social events.

It also states sports designated for females will not be open to students of the male sex.

STORY: Managers of well-known Nocatee restaurant accused of harboring undocumented immigrants

In addition, overnight field trips will be on a case-by-case basis that meets privacy concerns. The same goes for bathroom use, which was concerning for one parent.

“There may be privacy and safety issues being violated against straight kids in bathrooms. I don’t want a biological boy in the bathrooms with my girls ever,” a parent said during public comment.

The LGBTQ+ support guide provides steps for personnel if a student discloses information about their sexual orientation or gender identity.

The district expresses the need for every student to feel safe in every school, but they must comply with the law.

District staff will finalize the student support guide in June.

The board will approve parental notification procedures come July.

Staff training will take place in August.