In a policy presentation to principals and counselors, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools system in North Carolina recommended that students not be called boys or girls, but the gender-neutral scholars or students.
WSOCTV.com reports the CMS system's presentation cited regulations for preventing bullying. One policy allows students to participate in extracurricular activities and overnight school trips based on their gender identity.
For example, a student who identifies as a girl could go on an "all-girl" overnight trip.
Another policy said that the school must evaluate gender-based activities and "maintain only those that have clear and sound pedagogical purpose."
Kathryn Block, CMS chief communications officer, said, "CMS remains fully committed to supporting its transgender students and nurturing a safe and welcoming environment for every student and employee."
The North Carolina Values Coalition said it would hold a rally to protest the policy recommendations, according to WSOCTV.com. The Coalition's executive director Tami Fitzgerald said, "School is no longer about reading, writing, and arithmetic. It is now about gender fluidity."
The Christian Post reports that the coalition's website posted a letter to the school system objecting to the policies, and 1,575 people have downloaded it.
"An additional 877 families have sent each board member an email through the website," Coalition spokesman Jim Quick said.
In March, North Carolina became the first state in the country to enforce a state law barring transgender people from using bathrooms in government buildings and public schools that correspond with their gender identity, which set off a national debate. A case is in district court that calls on the state to stop enforcing that law.
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