Comstock Public Schools removes transgender student policy, but says protections remain
Wood TV8 | By Josh Sanchez
Published March 24, 2025
COMSTOCK TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — The Comstock Public Schools Board of Education says it has removed a policy on transgender students in response to a recent executive order. District leaders say protections and procedures still apply under other policies and state law.
On March 10, the board voted to rescind policy 5106 on transgender students in a 5-2 vote after a two-hour closed session reviewing attorney communication. The policy had sections outlining definitions, notifications, student records and privacy, restroom and locker room access and staff training.
Policy 5106 protections are covered by other stand-alone policies, said Superintendent Jeff Thoenes. Students and staff are to report bullying and similar issues under the district’s unlawful discrimination and harassment policies. As for bathroom and locker room usage, Thoenes said students are protected under Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act.
Thoenes said the vote was about reducing the district’s risk amid a changing federal landscape that makes it easier to target these types of policies. Last month, the U.S. Department of Education launched an online reporting tool targeting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies and practices in schools.
“You could be a resident of another state, even, and comb through websites or issues and then file a complaint that you believe that the district isn’t adhering to the executive order. So given that, the board decided to take the action it did, knowing that protections in Michigan were still valid and proper,” Thoenes said.
He said district staff members are working with affected students and their families on a case-by-case basis. One of those parents, who wanted to remain anonymous, said the policy solidified protections for their student.
“I think I can trust the staff to protect and respect my child and that brings me comfort. I find that the superintendent seems very genuine in concerns over children’s safety,” the parent said. “The problem is we have to have policy to protect these kids other than safeguards to, I don’t know, come back when there’s harm done.”
Heather Standforth, communications and advocacy manager of OutFront Kalamazoo, said removing policy 5106 sends a discouraging message amid major federal changes.
“The school board is saying ‘we’re OK with that not being on written record,’ that ‘we are OK with not stating the intention of our entire school district to commit to protections for trans youth,’ ‘we’re OK with actively taking that off the books,'” she said. “That is in itself is a gesture that harms the trans community and the trans youth who are in these schools.”
During a school board meeting Monday night, more than a dozen people voiced their support for reimplementing the policy by sharing personal stories from educators, members of the trans community and parents.
Board President Pamela Dickinson read from a statement reiterating that the vote came in the wake of a federal executive order. She said the district is committed to serving all students.
“While policy landscapes shift, our core values as a district do not. Every student deserves a safe and affirming environment where they can learn without fear and with the full support of their school community. The receding of this policy is not expected to affect the acceptance and respect of our students nor the mental well-being in their education journey,” Dickinson said.
Thoenes said no other policies are under review right now.
District policies can be found here.