Widefield School District 3’s Board of Education approved a new policy Thursday night to refer to students by the name that aligns with their gender identity.

During their regular meeting Thursday night, the board voted unanimously to approve the new policy that allows district students to inform their school of their chosen name without changing their school records.

Students will not need to provide proof of a legal name change to choose a different name at school and during extracurricular activities, nor will they need parental approval. Parents may be notified of their student’s name change, though, if deemed appropriate.

The decision comes following House Bill 1039 becoming law this spring. The law requires school personnel to address a student by the student’s chosen name and deems it discriminatory to knowingly refuse to do so. 

It also requires every school or district to implement a written policy outlining how the school will honor a student’s request to use a chosen name.

A “chosen name” is defined in Colorado law as any name a student requests to be known as that differs from their legal name, to reflect their gender identity. A “legal name” is defined as the name that appears on official government documents such as licenses, passports and birth certificates.

Any student subject to discrimination under this law can file a report with the school or a federal civil rights complaint.

“Personnel must strive to use the chosen or preferred name of all students,” Policy ACA reads. “The district understands that honest mistakes may occur, but the intentional or knowing refusal to use a student’s chosen name … is prohibited under this policy and under Colorado law.”

The new policy also comes following a school year that saw three of the board members facing calls to resign by members of the community.

Along with heated public comments during board meetings, walkouts occurred at D-3 schools protesting the board members after they allegedly made derogatory comments towards LGBTQ+ students in public that were overheard. Among the alleged comments included calling gender-neutral bathrooms and social-emotional learning programs “a waste of money.” 

Widefield District 3 high school students stage walkout, continue demands for board resignations

During a January meeting, board President Greg Fisher read a statement that acknowledged and apologized for the public’s interpretation and response to the statements while adding that they would neither argue nor dispute them.

During the meeting’s public comment portion, Janitell Junior High librarian and Widefield Education Association co-President Dustin Flesher voiced concerns to the board members that they had not made an honest effort to learn more about embracing and accepting students with different perspectives and backgrounds.

He specifically cited an instance where board member David Dock declined to receive information from the local LGBTQ+ nonprofit Inside Out Youth Services when recommended by a district teacher. 

“Your failure to take up that teacher’s request shows a lack of respect to diversity,” he said. 

Ahead of the vote, Dock commented that the new policy might impact parents, teachers and staff and that he would want to revisit it should any issues come up. Board member Tina West echoed his concerns while adding her own regarding the new state law. 

“I question the constitutionality of the, what I consider, compelled speech and government overreach part of this,” she said before her vote.