Tuesday, April 28, 2026

April 2026 Board of Ed: Safe Schools for LGBTQ+ students

 There is a document here; you can find their things here



it feels not great that this got bumped to the end

Rachelle Engler Bennett, Associate Commissioner of Student and Family Commissioner
joint effort of Department and MA Commission of LGBTQ Youth
part of DESE's Student and Family Support office
advance educational vision for all students

Shaplaie Brooks, Executive Director, MA Commission on LGBTQ Youth
rapidly changing environment, especially for non-binary and trans youth
seeing hate in every district
student voice clear and urgent direction of work
national and local bullying and harassment
increase risk for most serious outcomes
essential that students feel safe, affirmed, and visible in their school environment
outcomes vary greatly depending on where in the state they go to school
national scene showing up in classrooms, policies
policies must become "active meaningful practices every day"
Jason Wheeler, Director, Safe Schools Program
organized around training and technical assistance; student leadership development; policy and implementation development
seeing more requests for training and technical assistance; on track to complete just over 120 trainings, 200 requests for technical assistance
LGBTQ Leadership Council: host over 25 student leadership gatherings each year
policy implementation support: not just to understand guidance but understand what it looks like to put guidance into practice
"really thoughtful work in this space"
needs across communities are different and work has to reflect that
students experience safety and belonging and experience success in school system
"not asking what the policies say; they're asking how to apply these practices in their schools"
build trust and shared understanding
persistence disparities in safety, mental health, belonging
strengthen staff capacity in schools and deeper family partnership
family advisory councils popping up in districts

Gary Burboa-Reece, assistant superintendent, North Middlesex
strong commitment from districts across the Commonwealth
appreciation for strong state policies; allows for creation of clear local policies in alignment
strong school culture with elevation of student voice
reinforcing that districts are not navigating alone
"clear messaging that's aligned with inclusive values"
clear and timely guidance ongoingly needed along with practical support
legal implications for districts; navigating funding risks from federal level
reassurance that districts won't be left alone to navigate


Gabriel Rivas Orellana: made deliberate decision not to have a student speak today, due to risks 
student experience varies by classroom
students notice both action and inaction
adults who do not speak up are also noted; inaction and silence is a choice
students seeing themselves in spaces of leadership and in curriculum
even in spaces that are meant to be safe, not experienced as safe
daily lived experience in classrooms across Massachusetts

Erin Hashimoto Martell, Senior Associate Commissioner, Teaching and Learning
inclusive curriculum is part of it being high quality
"fully embedded and coherent across" curriculum
baseline minimum
texts that are representing various cultures and perspectives across the entire course

Wheeler: "can't not acknowledge the national landscape"
stay grounded in our responsibilities to students
student experiences must remain at the center of our work
districts are asking for clarity, consistency, and support
Brooks: importance of collaboration, work being done together

Fernandes: students cannot afford to go to school every day and not be supported
all our students survive and thrive

districts, schools, classrooms much less public about how they're being inclusive
being more intentional in their one-on-one support
not really intentional about how we're teaching students in this moment
navigate conversations, support students in having conversations with families
develop adult skills in the building to support equity

important that anything done to address LGBTQ students addresses them as a whole person, who may have intersectional identities

and adjourned: Board next meets May 19 at Hudson High

No comments: