At a Sept. 2 East Grand School Board meeting, board members passed eight new policies, one of which drew a significant response from the public. During an open commentary period, seven residents addressed concerns about a state-sanctioned policy which outlines the process by which students may implement a preferred name or pronoun change at school for any reason, including to affirm their gender identity.

Under the policy, students can use a chosen name while at school without parents’ permission, but the school district will not process a name change on official records without a parent signature or a court order. An updated version of the policy also states that parents may be notified of a student’s name change if deemed appropriate.

Keith Schmanke, a parent and third grade teacher at Granby Elementary, said the guidelines for determining when parental disclosure is appropriate remain unclear, creating “a slippery slope,” that pressures teachers to hide information from parents.

“In essence, the policy would send a message that it is okay to keep secrets from their parents, and we as school district employees will be expected to be accomplices in this act,” Schmanke said. “I do not believe that a school district has any business getting in the middle of manners that belong in the family unit, and I strongly suggest to the school board that this policy not be put into place.”

David Hickam, a candidate in the upcoming Nov. 4 school board election, urged the board not to move forward with the name change policy, despite state laws House Bill 24-1039, the Kelly Loving Act (HB25-1312) and the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act requiring schools to implement rules that protect students’ gender identity and expression.

“It’s ok to say no to the state,” he said during the public comment period, even though doing so could jeopardize state funding for East Grand schools.

Superintendent Ray reiterated that while the policy does not mandate parental consent, it gives school staff an opportunity to work with students on how they want to inform their parents of a name change.

“Our goal is to help them talk to their parents,” he said. “It’s never to hide things from the parents.”

The third and final reading of the name change policy passed 3-2 with board members Chris Raines of District 2 and Christian Hornbaker of District 3 voting against it.

In other news

Superintendent to resign

During the superintendent’s report, Ray announced his resignation at the end of his contract on June 30, 2026. Ray, who has served as superintendent since 2022, said he plans to return to a teaching position for two years before retiring in 2028.

Immigration status protected

An emergency reading of three policies regarding the schools’ protection of student immigration status also passed. According to the school board, the emergency readings and passage of these policies were necessary to reinstate compliance with state requirements to safeguard student immigration status and other sensitive information.

Under a policy dealing with relations with federal immigration officials, schools do not collect immigration or citizenship status, except when required by law. If federal immigration officials request information or access, staff must refer them to the district’s the superintendent or assistant superintendent. The policy is designed to safeguard student records and personal data from immigration enforcement.

Other district policies reinforce these protections. A student records and release of information policy governs the confidentiality of student education records, while a state and federal relations policy emphasizes cooperation between the school district and broader agencies as allowed under state and federal law.

Additional policies approved

Board members approved final readings of updated policies with rules for administering medications to students, student health screenings, public conduct on district property and staff salary deductions and reimbursements.