46-11. LGBTQ+ Safe Schools
The Parties share the goal of school being a place where the identities of students and staff are respected, valued, and affirmed. We must also respect students’ privacy, especially if parents or family members do not know how students identify or express their identity. Similarly, while it is important for staff members to use people’s Affirmed names and pronouns, we also know that it is possible to make mistakes unintentionally. In general, we should assume best intentions, but recognize that impact must be addressed and people should continually work to improve.
With goals and caveats outlined above, the Parties agree to the following:
46-11.1. CPS Guidelines Regarding Transgender and Gender Non-conforming Students.
The BOARD shall follow the CPS Guidelines Regarding Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Students. The BOARD shall collaborate with the union and make best efforts to agree with the Union before making any adjustments to these guidelines.
46-11.2. Privacy Guidelines.
The BOARD will adopt and maintain privacy Guidelines that explicitly assert the confidentiality of information pertaining to students’ sexual orientations and gender identities. Bargaining unit members will not be required to reveal a students’ sexual orientation or gender identity without the student’s permission, unless relevant in the event of a health or safety emergency or as required by law.
46-11.3. Affirmed Names and Pronouns.
The BOARD shall use bargaining unit members’ affirmed name and pronouns at all times, except when the use of the employee’s legal name is required by law or necessary for official documentation (e.g. tax forms, payroll records). The BOARD shall encourage all staff to use bargaining unit members’ affirmed name and pronouns.The BOARD will encourage all staff to use students’ personal name and affirmed pronouns, specifically distinguishing student preference in the classroom versus when communicating home to families in order to respect students’ privacy. Employees will be encouraged to ask students about how staff should refer to the student when interacting with family members before all events that include family members.
46-11.4. Gender Support Coordinator.
Each school may have a volunteer staff member to serve as Gender Support Coordinator. The Gender Support Coordinator will be given digital space on the website to post contact information, frequently asked questions, and support resources for LGBTQ+ students and families. The Gender Support Coordinator will be given up to 3 hours of release time per semester to attend relevant professional development.
46-11.5. Positions for LGBTQ+ Support.
The BOARD shall establish and maintain at least one position in each of the geographic networks to provide LGBTQ+ support, including implementation of CPS Policy on Supporting Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students, training for school leaders and teams on, inter alia, creating and sustaining GSAs, and providing recommendations and resources for students and families . A list of the central and network-wide support persons will be disseminated to the union and all schools at the beginning of each school year.
46-11.6. Anti-bullying Policy.
The BOARD will adopt and maintain anti-bullying policies that include language that specifically prohibits harassment based on gender identity, sexual orientation, and gender expression. The BOARD will offer professional development to bargaining unit members focused on preventing and addressing incidents of bullying and bias-based behavior.
46-11.7. LGBTQ+ Issues Training.
The BOARD shall ensure that all Counselors, Clinicians, Social Workers, Psychologists, and other wellness staff/clinicians are queer competent and trained annually on LGBTQ+ issues. Any additional training shall be provided by the Office of Student Health and Wellness (OSHW) upon request.
46-11.8. Restrooms.
The BOARD shall label all single-occupancy restrooms as all-gender at each school The Board will make all reasonable efforts to ensure that 100% of all schools have a bathroom designated as Gender Neutral by the end of this agreement. All students and staff are permitted to use the bathroom or locker room that corresponds to their gender identity.
46-11.9. Menstrual Products.
Consistent with Illinois Public Act 102-0340, all bathrooms and locker rooms, regardless of designated gender identity, will contain free menstrual products and stall-based trash receptacles for menstrual products.
46-11.10. Student Dress Code.
Any Student dress code adopted by the BOARD will be inclusive of a diversity of gender expressions, body/body size, race and culture, and adopted only after input from the GSA and Student Government, if those student groups exist.
46-11.11. Mental Health Care Resources.
The BOARD shall inform students and their families of all mental health care resources that the Board has available for students and families, such as behavioral health and mentoring services.