Seine River considers gender-neutral supports

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This article was published 16/11/2014 (3445 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A trustee in the Seine River School Division questioned whether the division has gone far enough to ensure students have a washroom they are comfortable using.

Superintendent Mike Borgfjord confirmed to Lorette trustee Jessie Cahill on Wednesday that schools have made staff washrooms available as a gender-neutral space if at least one student expressed a need. He wasn’t aware of how many schools have done so.

Cahill replied that this policy may not be sufficient. She gave an example of a bullied student that may not want to tell an adult they desire a gender-neutral facility.

Fellow trustees agreed.

“We’re going to be in situations where a child is not prepared to have those conversations,” said Gary Nelson. “I think we need to do more work on this.”

Cahill requested the division report back on which schools have made this accommodation and then trustee conversations on the subject would progress from there. The report will be shared at the next trustee board meeting on Nov. 25.

Ste Anne Collegiate is one division school that have made a staff washroom available for students who want it.