Controversy over transgender educational document in New Prairie School Corporation

 

NEW CARLISLE, Ind. – A picture of a document posted on Facebook depicting a Genderbread person, meant to provide education on gender—including being transgender—caused parents and community members to express their concern and, in some cases, outrage.

“Kids don’t need to learn this at school. It’s rather revolting,” one person commented.

Another summed it up as “Nothing short of ridiculous.”

“It don’t [sic] belong in elementary or middle school,” commented another.

And numerous community members have reached out to the district to express their concerns.

But New Prairie School Corporation Superintendent Dr. Paul White told ABC57 over the phone that the document was only meant to provide more education to the district staff, to more fully understand the perspective of trans students in their schools.

“This document is not curriculum material,” Dr. White said. “As a public school system, we have a responsibility to work with and understand all of our students, from various student populations, so that was the intent with this particular document.”

Dr. White understood why some members of the community would be concerned after seeing the document, and has responded to their calls and emails, but wanted to clarify, the district is not adding transgender studies into the classroom.

“It is not our intention, one way or the other, but as a school system, to try to be as neutral as possible, work with our transgender students to support what they need, but also understand that some families will have concerns and we will be ready to answer those questions,” he said.

The district’s school board is currently planning a meeting—separate from the scheduled school board meeting set to take place on October 24th—where community members will have the opportunity to address their concerns and receive more clarification on topics involving trans students later this month.