St. Paul schools take up proposed gender inclusion policy

A new gender inclusion policy will get its first reading at a St. Paul school board meeting Tuesday night.

It also gives those students access to sports and academic programs — and facilities like restrooms — best aligned with their gender identity.

"We wanted to make sure we have systems in place where all of our students have access to everything that we offer here in St. Paul Public Schools," said Ryan Vernosh, the district's policy administrator.

Vernosh said he thinks this is the first comprehensive gender inclusion policy developed by a school district in Minnesota.

"We want to make sure that we are providing an equitable learning environment for all of our students," Vernosh said, "an environment that's grounded in student voice and student need."

The school board will hear public input on the policy before it comes to a final vote in the spring. The policy will be developed over the next few months with input from students, parents and teachers.

In December, the Minnesota State High School League, which governs interscholastic activities, adopted a policy allowing transgender student-athletes to pick the sports team best aligned with their gender identity.