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MCC search to end
TRANSGENDER STUDENTS IN McHENRY COUNTY
Area schools take proactive approach
Board expected to vote on president
Leaders creating policies, providing more resources
By ALLISON GOODRICH agoodrich@shawmedia.com
By HANNAH PROKOP hprokop@shawmedia.com
S
chool leaders in McHenry County are trying to be proactive in becoming more educated when it comes to providing resources and creating policies for transgender students. Palatine Township School District 211 recently approved a deal allowing a transgender student, who was born male and identifies as female, to use a separate changing area in a girls locker room. Although there are no open investigations regarding transgender student issues in McHenry County, according to a statement from U.S. Department of Education spokeswoman Dorie Nolt, the McHenry County Regional Office of Education is looking to better educate schools on transgender student issues. In February, a conference will be held for staff to provide information regarding policy, procedures and day-to-day interaction regarding transgender students, Laura Crain said. Crain, who works with the McHenry County Substance Abuse Coalition and regional office of education, is helping
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“(It’s a) difficult situation. Some of the guidelines given to schools are suggested; (there is) no court precedent or case laws directing us on what we need to do to accommodate those students.”
Illustration by R. Scott Helmchen – shelmchen@shawmedia.com
set up the conference, which does not yet have a set date and time. “Our view is we wanna make sure that any tools that our schools need are available to them, and if they’re not facing (issues regarding transgender students) in their district right now, they may not be looking for information,” Crain said. Crain said as far as she knows, Community High School District 155 is the only district that has put out a statement that specifically addresses how a school will handle transgender student questions. On Nov. 24, Johnnie Thomas, superintendent of Community High School District 155, sent out a letter addressed to families and students to inform them how the district is approaching the matter. The letter stated that based on the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights position, as demonstrated in District 211’s case, “when a D-155 student communicates a request to use the bathroom or locker room of the student’s affirmed gender identity, we will honor that request.” District locker rooms will have a limited number of individual changing locations, but no one will be required to use the changing facilities, according to the letter. In school policies or handbooks, other districts cite Title IX, which “protects all students, including transgender students, from sex discrimination in K-12 districts that re-
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Dan Bertrand
Marengo Community High School District 154 superintendent
ceive federal funding,” according to the U.S. Department of Education. Dan Bertrand, superintendent of Marengo Community High School District 154, said Marengo schools follow policies put forth by the Illinois Association of School Boards. “I think people are just really trying to be proactive, and at the same time be sensitive to all the students as well,” Bertrand said, adding that he thinks the policies currently in place are sufficient. “(It’s a) difficult situation. Some of the guidelines given to schools are suggested; (there is) no
See RESOURCES, page A6
CRYSTAL LAKE – The search for a new McHenry County College president is slated to come to an official close Thursday, when trustees are expected to vote on a contract for Clinton E. Gabbard. According to the agenda for Thursday’s regular board meeting, trustees will be asked to approve the employment agreement for Gabbard, who currently serves as vice president of student services at Lake Michigan College, according to MCC’s website. He previously served as an administrator for Walla Walla Community College, director of counseling and psychological services at Purdue University, and a psychologist and adjunct assistant professor at the University of Notre Dame, his biography said. MCC Board Chairman Mike Smith said he doesn’t anticipate any hiccups Thurs- Clinton E. day, but declined to comment Gabbard about Gabbard until after the If you go formal board vote. “I think we’ve done a nice job collectively as a board in WHAT: due diligence,” Smith said, MCC board adding the contract between meeting the board of trustees and GabWHEN: bard should be available on 6:30 p.m. MCC’s website by the end of Thursday the day Tuesday. WHERE: Gabbard was one of three McHenry final candidates who particCounty Board ipated in recent community Room, A217 forums and board candidate interviews. Four candidates were expected, but Karla Fisher, who has served as an administrator at Butler Community College, pulled out of the race after accepting another position, Smith said. The finalists were chosen from a pool of 66 applicants, the product of a national search that reached out to more than 7,000 contacts seeking both applications and recommendations from leaders in higher education. If his contract is approved, Gabbard has indicated he could start on or about Jan. 11, Smith said. “So we’re excited he would be ready to start almost right away,” Smith added, reiterating that President Vicky Smith, who started in August 2010, will retire at the end of the month. During Thursday’s meeting, the board is expected to bestow on her a president emeritus status, MCC documents said. The board also will appoint an acting president for the period between Vicky Smith’s departure and the new president’s start. For information about Gabbard, visit MCC’s presidential search page.
Trump at center stage, but Cruz in spotlight for GOP debate By JULIE PACE The Associated Press WASHINGTON – Donald Trump will be standing at center stage, but Ted Cruz will be in the spotlight at Tuesday night’s Republican presidential debate. The Texas senator is challenging Trump’s lead in the kickoff Iowa caucuses, and he has the money, campaign infrastructure and conservative appeal to compete deep into the GOP primary season. Those assets now make him a target for
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his rivals, most notably Trump and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. Trump and Cruz have been getting along for months, and that has protected the senator from the harsh criticism the businessman has flung against other opponents. But signs
of a split have emerged in recent days, with Cruz appearing to question Trump’s judgment at a private fundraiser, according to audio obtained by The New York Times, and Trump calling Cruz “a little bit of a maniac.” “Looks like @tedcruz is getting ready to attack,” Trump wrote on Twitter last week. “I am leading by so much he must. I hope so, he will fall like all others. Will be easy!” Another intriguing dynamic in
Presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks Thursday in Washington, D.C. He is challenging Donald Trump’s lead in Iowa, and has the money, infrastructure and appeal to compete deep into the GOP primary race.
See GOP DEBATE, page A6
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