In Virginia, several school districts have said that they will reject the Republican Governor. Glenn Youngkin’s model policies require students to use bathroom and pronouns matching their biological sex.

The updated Virginia Department Of Education 2023 Model Policy includes “clear and helpful” suggestions for school districts regarding preferred pronoun use, maintaining student records and identification of students, as well as enforcing dress codes based on gender.

According to the new guidelines students are required to use private bathrooms and other facilities that match their biological sex, rather than gender identity. This is true unless federal law requires otherwise. Parents must also give permission for students to use a name or gender other than their own.

ALXnow reported that Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Melanie Kay Wyatt and Chair of the School Board Michelle Rief issued a statement together on Monday, saying they were “dismayed”, when Youngkin presented policies regarding transgender students. The district rejected the policies for the second year in a row. They are updated every year.

The statement states: “[W]e would like to reaffirm that ACPS is committed to providing gender affirming policies to all ACPS students and staff, including the LGBTQIA+ Community.” The School Board Policy JB on Nondiscrimination in education protects students against discrimination based on gender expression, gender identification, sexual harassment, and transgender identity.

ACPS stated that they are reviewing the new policies in order to make sure they follow state and federal laws, but they remain committed to upholding their 1996 non-discrimination school policy. This policy has recognized gender identity as a class protected since 2013.

According to FOX 5DC, Prince William County Public Schools as well as Loudoun County Public Schools will also be reviewing the updated policy. Stafford, Fairfax County and Arlington County already have policies that are not in compliance with the new guidelines.

In a recent statement, Dr. Francisco Duran, Superintendent of Arlington Public Schools wrote: “We reviewed the model policy and determined that we will keep our current policies in place and our policies implementation procedures to protect the rights our transgender children.”

He added: “In addition, they are aligned with decisions of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and Title IX of Educational Amendments of 1974, as well as the Equal Protection Clause of The Fourteenth Amendment.” I am against any policy which violates our students’ rights and threatens their safety and well-being.

In 2022, the Virginia Department of Education introduced Youngkin’s Model Policies for the first time. These policies were in opposition to those that had been implemented by former Democrat Governor. Ralph Northam.

The Youngkin administration claims that model policies give parents more rights in regards to their child’s educational needs.

A spokesperson for the Governor said that “the law requires the Virginia Department of Education to provide model policies, which school boards must adopt.” The Virginia Department of Education fulfilled its obligation to create model policies. School boards should follow the law.

There is no clear indication of what penalties school districts will face if they fail to comply with the new state policies.