A conservative nonprofit organization has accused Springfield Public Schools of attempting to exclude parents from discussions with students about gender identity and preferred pronouns. But district documents cited by the group do not support that claim.
The Virginia-based Parents Defending Education has now added SPS to a list of 1,123 districts — serving more than 12 million students — that it alleges have transgender or gender nonconforming policies that “openly state that district personnel can or should keep a student’s transgender status hidden from parents.”
Springfield is one of seven Missouri districts on the list.
“This group is misrepresenting Springfield Public Schools and its claims are false. In fact, those claims are contradicted by the documents the group requested and selectively cites as part of its web post,” said Stephen Hall, chief communications officer for SPS.
“Our practices, outlined in those documents, make it clear that parents and guardians are key to navigating these sensitive issues with students. It is unfair and incorrect to suggest otherwise.”