New London policy committee approves several policy updates, including transgender‑youth language change

The New London Board of Education Policy Committee voted on March 19 to rescind several older policies and to adopt updates to a set of student‑related policies, including an amended transgender and gender‑expansive youth policy that tightens language about names and pronouns.

The votes took place at a virtual meeting chaired by Nathan Caron. The committee approved placing guardians alongside parents in Policy 5124 (Reporting to Parents and Guardians), amended Policy 5126 (Student Recognition) to clarify award criteria, and approved Policy 5145.53 (Transgender and Gender‑Expansive Youth) after removing the term “Opportunity Transfer” and strengthening name/pronoun provisions. The committee also approved removing older policy items from the consent agenda where those rules are incorporated elsewhere.

Committee Chair Nathan Caron moved the consent agenda, which included rescinding Series 5000 (Pledge of Allegiance information moved into Policy 6115), Policy 6114.81 (Emergency Suspension during a pandemic), and Series 6000 IDEA — Alternative Assessments (moved into Policy 6162.3); that motion carried unanimously. On Policy 5124, Caron asked for consistent use of the word “guardians” in addition to “parents,” and the committee approved the policy 5-0.

On Policy 5126 (Student Recognition), the committee amended item 2 to read, “Are criteria for the award established by the Superintendent and/or their designee acceptable to the staff?” The amendment and the main motion as amended passed 5-0.

Policy 5145.53 drew the most detailed discussion. Committee member Scott Garbini said he wanted to remove language he called potentially misleading and moved to remove the term “Opportunity Transfer,” a motion the committee approved. Garbini also said using the words “preferred” or “chosen” ‘‘is suggesting that gender identity is a choice when it is neither.’’ Chair Caron pushed for language that would make pronoun and name use clear for school personnel. As amended, the committee adopted paragraph 4 to require “school personnel [to] use a student’s name and pronouns consistent with the student’s gender identity,” and clarified that schools will use a student’s name, gender, and pronoun consistent with the student’s gender except where required by law on records and documents. Ms. McGuire, a staff member, stated that the draft follows the model policy from CABE and reflected recent CSDE guidance updated in January 2024.

A discussion of Policy 5131.911 (Bullying & Safe School Climate Plan) was requested by Committee Member Bianca Alexis‑Sylvain. Kristea A. Francolino, Manager of Executive Support Services, said the policy and accompanying forms will be revised and returned to a future agenda. When Alexis‑Sylvain asked about consequences for repeat bullying offenses, Ms. Rivera (staff member) said discipline follows the district Code of Conduct and could range up to expulsion in the most extreme cases; she noted statewide changes to terminology and a systemic form effective 2025‑26, and said the district plans to implement the changes in 2024‑25.

All recorded formal motions and votes on the March 19 consent agenda and pulled items were unanimous where noted: the consent agenda and the three pulled policies passed 5-0. The committee offered brief closing remarks and adjourned at 6:47 p.m.

The bullying policy revisions will return for further review; other amended policies will be incorporated into district policy documents per the committee’s votes.