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For Immediate Release:
March 2025 |
KYC's Statement on CCS Removal of Name Change Form
Last week the Columbus City Schools (CCS) Department of Student Services took action to revert student names to their legal names within Infinite Campus without advance notice or communication to the affected students and their families. Kaleidoscope Youth Center (KYC) subsequently received troubling reports of transgender students who have been forcibly outed because their given names -- which were previously updated through the appropriate name-change protocol -- are now visible to teachers and classmates. This action violates these students’ privacy rights and places their safety at risk.
In February, members of the community, including students, stood up to speak at the CCS Board meeting in support of rescinding Policy 5517.02. This was done with the belief that district officials would act with care and ensure safeguards remained in place to prevent harm. Indeed, the board reaffirmed its commitment to continue supporting, caring for, and affirming all students.
Regrettably, we’ve since learned that critical details were overlooked. This is a prime example of prioritizing policy compliance over the well-being of students. Had KYC been aware of the district’s intent to proceed in this manner, we would not have supported rescinding the policy, nor encouraged students to do the same.
Parent-sanctioned name changes are not prohibited by Senate Bill 104, in the absence of Board Policy 5517.02, or the forthcoming implementation of House Bill 8.
We call on district administration to immediately implement a Name Change Form independent of a formal board policy. The absence of Policy 5517.02 should not prevent the district from maintaining a process that minimizes harm to vulnerable students. If a form cannot exist without a policy, we call on the CCS Board of Education to take the steps to rectify this situation by establishing a policy that reflects their stated intent to continue supporting, caring for, and affirming all students.
KYC stands ready to work with the district to identify alternative solutions that meet the needs of all students.
In February, members of the community, including students, stood up to speak at the CCS Board meeting in support of rescinding Policy 5517.02. This was done with the belief that district officials would act with care and ensure safeguards remained in place to prevent harm. Indeed, the board reaffirmed its commitment to continue supporting, caring for, and affirming all students.
Regrettably, we’ve since learned that critical details were overlooked. This is a prime example of prioritizing policy compliance over the well-being of students. Had KYC been aware of the district’s intent to proceed in this manner, we would not have supported rescinding the policy, nor encouraged students to do the same.
Parent-sanctioned name changes are not prohibited by Senate Bill 104, in the absence of Board Policy 5517.02, or the forthcoming implementation of House Bill 8.
We call on district administration to immediately implement a Name Change Form independent of a formal board policy. The absence of Policy 5517.02 should not prevent the district from maintaining a process that minimizes harm to vulnerable students. If a form cannot exist without a policy, we call on the CCS Board of Education to take the steps to rectify this situation by establishing a policy that reflects their stated intent to continue supporting, caring for, and affirming all students.
KYC stands ready to work with the district to identify alternative solutions that meet the needs of all students.
Download KYC's full letter to the CCS Superintendent and Board of Education here:
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Download Previous Press Release Here:
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