Smithfield, RI School Superintendent Dawn Bartz Suggests Teachers Honor Student's Wishes To Hide Information On Transitioning At Parent Conferences - Principal Agrees

Smithfield, RI School Superintendent Dawn Bartz made suggestions and/or answered questions about parent conferences and the role of the teacher.

School committee members asked what actions a teacher might take when questions arise over a student’s wishes to transition or take the path of questioning to transition. In a very round about way to answer, Dawn Bartz replied the students wishes would be honored if they wished the parents not be informed.

Committee Chair Richard Iannitelli pressed for direct response. If a parent asks a direct question on their child’s questioning about social or medical transitioning at a parent conference, how would the teacher respond.

Superintendent Bartz replied that the student’s wish of secrecy be honored to then which Principal Kelly affirmed the student’s wishes would be honored and the parent would not be informed.