Mesa Public Schools’ New Policy on Trans Students Sparks Controversy

MESA, Ariz. — The Mesa Public Schools Governing Board is poised to seek legal guidance regarding a proposed policy concerning transgender students. This development follows a board meeting held on April 8, where board member Sharon Benson introduced measures aimed at reinforcing parental rights.

The draft policy, titled “gender dysphoria,” emphasizes parental involvement in the decision-making process related to their children’s mental health and social-emotional issues. It stresses that parents must give written consent before school staff can address students with names or pronouns that differ from their biological sex or records.

Moreover, the proposal asserts that neither staff nor students will be forced to address classmates in a way that infringes on their First Amendment rights. Benson clarified her intention, stating that the policy was not meant to encourage mistreatment but to uphold parental authority. She remarked, “We as teachers, we as people who are not directly related to these children do not have a right to interfere with the way a family wants to raise their children.”

However, board member Marcie Hutchinson expressed reservations about certain aspects of the proposed language, suggesting potential conflicts with the district’s existing anti-bullying policies. She emphasized the importance of respect in the current policy, highlighting feedback from parents and former students who feel supported and valued.

The district already has established guidelines to support transgender and gender nonconforming students. This history of legislative scrutiny isn’t new for Mesa Public Schools; in 2023, board member Rachel Walden filed a lawsuit against the district, seeking to overturn these guidelines. A Maricopa County judge dismissed the lawsuit last summer.

No formal decisions were made regarding the proposed policy at the latest meeting, as the board decided to gather legal advice before proceeding further.

The draft of the proposed policy was made available during the board meeting for review.