Washington County Board of Education approves revisions to its policy on pregnant students

The Washington County Board of Education has approved changes to its policy aimed at prohibiting gender discrimination against pregnant female students.

The same holds true for policies regarding students who are already parents.

The school board unanimously approved the policy revisions with no comment at a business meeting last week.

The changes are meant to improve the education of pregnant and parenting students by supporting their educational and parenting goals, the written policy states.

"It is the policy of the board of education to prohibit gender discrimination of any type in educational programs and activities, including bias against pregnant and parenting students," it states.

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A version of the policy was first adopted by the school board on Sept. 12, 2017.

It has been revised now to match the recently updated model policy from the State Board of Education, school board member Pieter Bickford has told The Herald-Mail Media.

Bickford is also the chair of the school board's policy committee.

The U.S. Department of Education's regulations also specify nondiscrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance, the Washington County school board's policy states. The department prohibits disparate treatment of students based on pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of a pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions.

Meanwhile, the Washington County Board of Education states that pregnant and parenting students must be allowed to participate in all aspects of educational programs, including academic, physical and social activities.

"Pregnant and parenting students must have access to a range of specific activities and policies that govern activities both in and outside of the classroom," the policy states. "These activities include, but are not limited to, excused absences, make-up work, accommodations for instruction, a private space for lactation, and designated support staff in the school for the purpose of connecting pregnant and parenting students to services."

The policy states that the school board will ensure training of Washington County Public School employees on the requirements.

The superintendent is to implement the policy that addresses attendance and lawful absences, make up work, provisions of a private space for lactation, support for pregnant and parenting students, training of staff, communication and violations of bullying or harassment.

The board of education is currently reviewing all of its policies and making changes where needed.

Sherry Greenfield is the Education Reporter, covering Washington County Public Schools and the Washington County Board of Education.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Washington County school board approves changes for pregnant students