Policy's gender definition at center of debate for Highlands School Board

The question of what constitutes gender could be front and center at the next Highlands School Board meeting.

On Tuesday, board members will consider approval of an education equity policy that at least two members have voiced concern about.

The aim of the proposed policy is to remove educational barriers that could interfere with students’ success in school.

The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the high school library and virtually on Zoom.

“Of course, I believe in the opportunity for equal education for everyone,” board member Judy Wisner said. “The part I have a problem with is the section that deals with the definition of gender.”

The proposed policy, written and recommended by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA), prioritizes the principle of educational equity regardless of gender, race, ethnicity and socio-economic status, among other identifiers.

For purposes of the policy, the definition of gender is a “range of characteristics pertaining to, and differentiating between, masculinity and femininity, including a person’s gender identity and gender expression, which includes a person’s internal sense of being male, female, some combination of male and female or neither male nor female.”

Wisner said she draws the line at the suggestion that there are more than two genders.

“I can handle the femininity and masculinity characterizations, but I truly object to the rest,” she said. “My heritage and my upbringing say that there are two sexes and to say otherwise is to defy God.

“To me, this is acquiescent to the ‘woke society.’”

Fellow board member Gene Witt said the policy is unnecessary because the district already works hard toward removing barriers and ensuring educational equity for all.

“I don’t see a need for this because we’re already doing it,” he said.

Heather Masshardt, PSBA director of policy services, said her organization does not require districts to adopt the policy.

“This is to encourage removing barriers to students, whether economic or other concerns, to give everyone a chance at success,” Masshardt said. “All of the language is optional. School boards can work with their solicitor and modify the policy.”

Wisner credited the district for already tweaking the language, but believes it needs more work.

“This is not the way we should be going,” she said.

Board President Bobbie Neese would not comment on how she plans to vote Tuesday.

“However, I do believe in educational equity. I believe that we, as a board, should do all we can to ensure all students have what they need to be successful and achieve their goals,” Neese said.

“As a school board, it is our responsibility to introduce policy that supports providing each of our students with what they need to become contributing members to society and be successful, no matter what path they choose, after their time at Highlands.”

None of the other six board members responded to requests for comment.