Local school divisions react to Sask. change room policy

WATCH: The Sask. School Board Association says most of the 27 school divisions already have a policy in place. Donovan Maess reports.

Local school divisions are reacting to a recent government announcement requiring Saskatchewan school boards to implement policies regarding trans and gender diverse students in change rooms.

Regina Public Schools (RPSD) created their policy last year. Director of Education and CEO Mark Haarmann says it is unlikely it will change, despite the announcement.

“There will be [further] consultations with out stakeholders,” he told CTV News Monday. “[Our] administrative procedure is currently public facing, it’s fully transparent and that will be the case as well.”

“But do I foresee drastic changes? No,” Haarmann added.

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On Thursday, Minister of Education Everett Hindley announced each of the province’s 27 school divisions must enact and publicly post their policy regarding use of change rooms.

“It’s up to their locally elected school boards,” he reiterated during a press conference last week. “We delegated authority to local school boards for these sorts of issues. But we’ll be monitoring it closely as well.”

The Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) says most of their members already do this.

Based on each division’s website, 18 local boards have created and posted their policy.

They vary on whether to allow trans students to use the change room of the gender which they identify.

“Our current procedures align with the Prairie Valley Board of Education policy governing respect for diversity,” the Prairie Valley School Division said in a statement. “We will ensure our administrative procedure, and the development framework for the administrative procedure, fulfill Ministry of Education expectations.”

The government confirmed Monday each division may have differing policies. But Minister Hindley has not clarified any potential parameters for the school boards to follow.

“Ultimately, we want to make sure every student feels safe in their school,” he said Thursday. “That’s what’s that needs to be accommodated.”

“And honestly, you have to get right down to the school level as to what the exact accommodations will be within every facility,” said SSBA President Shawn Davidson.

Local school boards have been asking the provincial government for more decision making power in recent years.

Haarmann hoped this could be a sign of more to come, given the myriad of larger issues Saskatchewan schools are facing.

“[Regina Public Schools] have unique needs and pressures that other places don’t have,” he said. “The precedent this is setting around local autonomy, consultation and transparency are good directions and certainly something I would encourage going forward.”

Individual school divisions have until June 30 to develop and enact their policy and make it publicly accessible.