On Jan. 16, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD trustees voted 5-1 to approve a new controversial policy, “Parent Rights and Responsibilities.” The policy mandates that teachers notify parents if a student requests a change in name or pronouns, requires restrooms and locker rooms to be segregated by biological sex and limits transgender students’ participation in sports to their biological sex with few exceptions. It also allows staff to request accommodations if a student’s preferred pronouns conflict with their “sincerely held beliefs” and bans discussions of gender identity in the curriculum, including library books and online resources, unless explicitly approved by the district.
This bill was passed almost unanimously despite the heavy opposition at the Jan. 16 board meeting, with around 34 speakers present at the meeting. One of the speakers was a senior from Cypress Ranch High School, Nathaniel Burgardt.
“I have for two years now wanted to speak at board meetings for various reasons, but I figure that now, since this is a conflict that is so personal to me and targets a very vulnerable population within these schools, I knew I had to act,” Burgardt said. “I’m incredibly fortunate to come from a supportive family that has accepted me for who I am, but I know many others that aren’t as lucky, which is why I thought that I should go up there because a lot of these kids don’t have a voice. A lot of these kids can’t have a voice because of their home situations. I figured that I could be at least part of their voice. To me, this is about fighting for my trans friends—friends I consider like a second family.”
This new policy has changed many students’ perceptions of the district’s values.
“I do not identify as trans, but I am deeply saddened and disappointed by this policy as it has completely changed my perception of this school district and its values,” sophomore Delylah Ntugu-Chicas said. “Regardless of personal beliefs, a school’s primary responsibility should be to ensure the safety of its students and provide a quality education for everyone. Policies like this not only jeopardize the safety and well-being of trans students but also harm students like me, who may lose access to books or educational materials simply because it mentions topics like gender identity. This affects us all – not just one group.”
Many students have also expressed their worries about the precedents that may be set because of this policy.
“I fear that this policy will make people become more confident in their hateful behavior,” said junior Bee Linton. “They’ll feel that they can bully trans kids without any repercussions or backlash. I know of many teachers that are willing to go against these policies to keep their kids safe, but there are just as many who will take this opportunity to hurt families all because of their hateful beliefs. [Many] trans kids [don’t feel] safe here anymore. Not only are they losing their security at school, but many will lose security at home.”
The passing of the “Parent Rights and Responsibilities” policy has sparked many debates within the Cy-Fair ISD community, with many voicing concerns that it jeopardizes the safety and well-being of transgender students. While the district and others claim the policy is intended to promote transparency and parental rights, its true impacts remain uncertain. The policy could face challenges similar to those seen in Katy ISD, where their district’s policy is undergoing a federal investigation. As the community grapples with this decision, one thing is certain: its consequences will ripple far beyond the boardroom, influencing the lives and experiences of countless students for years to come.
