PHM tables proposal to require parental consent for name or pronoun changes

The Penn-Harris-Madison school board tabled an update to the current district policy regarding name and pronoun changes for students.

The original policy says parents of elementary students who want to change their name or pronoun need to contact the school administration to request the change. For high school students, it says students or family members can request a pronoun or name change for a student.

The proposed policy would require a parent or legal guardian to request the name or pronoun change for high school students, unless they are legally emancipated.

Those in opposition of the change discussed the possible mental health implications of requiring parental consent for the name or pronoun change.

The board voted unanimously, with one abstention, to table the issue to next summer.