RUSD sued by the state over parent notification policy

Rocklin Unified School District (RUSD) was sued by the state over its LGBTQ-related parent notification policy April 23, according to RUSD board member Tiffany Saathoff at the May 1 school board meeting. According to the policy's verbiage, teachers and staff at RUSD schools must notify parents within three days when their child "requests to be identified as a gender other than the child's biological sex or gender; requests to use a name that differs from their legal name (other than a commonly recognized nickname) or to use pronouns that do not align with the child's biological sex or gender; requests access to sex-segregated school programs and activities, or bathrooms or changing facilities that do not align with the child's biological sex or gender." The parent notification policy was passed September 2023 after a public comment session with mixed reception, according to a previous Gold Mountain California News Media article. "In response to litigation filed on April 23 by the California Department of Education, the Board majority gave direction this evening to the superintendent to pursue a pro bono legal services agreement for the May 15th board meeting," said Saathoff. "With multiple cases actively in courts throughout the state and nation, and in light of the inconsistencies and contradictions of state and federal law in regards to parent notification policies, the RUSD board awaits clarification from the courts. RUSD will continue to focus their time and efforts on student achievement while the courts handle this matter." The California Department of Education (CDE) previously issued a letter to RUSD to alert the district of its education code violation, according to a previous Gold Mountain California News Media article, saying the policy would "disproportionately impact the safety of LGBTQ+ students in Rocklin and is discriminatory against their right to a safe educational environment." CDE's letter said RUSD must not implement the policy within five days of their letter being sent. The newest lawsuit alleges CDE's request was not met. "Your policy puts students at harm, makes learning difficult and unfortunately will increase suicide rates because 80 percent of trans people contemplate suicide. When you were young, you might have been curious and questioning about yourself. You might have confided in a trusted adult, assuming your musings were private," PFLAG Greater Placer County President Susan Conforti said at the May 1 meeting. "Please consider the privacy needs of the youngsters who are now like you then, even if you always felt heterosexual and cisgender. Being okay with whatever the doctor said you were when you were born, even so you wanted your privacy and a place to be yourself. Let school be a safe place." Rocklin Elementary parent Price Johnson raised concern over the district's pro bono claim at the meeting, saying, "Pro bono to me sets off so many red flags. Who are we accepting help from? What is their background? What incentives do they have for offering free legal services? What are the repercussions on our community if we lose in court or if they succeed? ... This is kicking the can on a problem that this board originated. This was policy that you brought forward that you were willing to even pause and craft this policy with us so that we could address your concerns, which I believe are valid."