The Guilford County Schools (GCS) Board of Education voted to send the following policies out for public comment.

The proposed revisions to policies relating to parent involvement, parent notifications, and health education are to comply with the requirements of the “Parents’ Bill of Rights,” legislation passed into law by the North Carolina General Assembly on August 16, 2023.

Policy 1310/4002 Parent Involvement contains several revisions including:

- Clarification of existing language that each school's improvement plan includes a parental involvement plan;
- Clarification of existing language regarding parental communication related to behavior, attendance, instructional materials, school activities, and if a student is suspected to be the victim of a crime;
- A new requirement for an annually updated parent guide for student achievement based on guidelines issued by the State Board of Education;
- New provisions related to parental notifications regarding student change in pronouns and student physical and mental health;
- A new section describing the method for parents to resolve concerns if they believe school or school system procedures or practices violate Part 4 of Article 7B of Chapter 115C in the General Statutes;
- New timelines for responses to parent requests for information; and
- A link to community services available to parents.

Proposed revisions to Policy 1311/4003 Parent Notification include a consolidated list of activities requiring written parental permission, including participation in surveys containing certain types of protected information, administering medication and off-campus trips.

Finally, revisions to Policy 3540 Reproductive Health and Safety Education include:

- A new state requirement prohibiting instruction on gender identity, sexual activity or sexuality in the curriculum for grades kindergarten through four;
- A clarification that "curriculum" includes the standard course of study and instructional materials but does not include responses to student-initiated questions, communications unconnected to the curriculum or other statements protected by law; and
Clarification that information conveyed during health instruction will be based on objective, scientific information accepted by professionals and experts in the field.

The public can submit feedback on the policy revision for 30 days by sending an email to [email protected].The Board of Education will consider the revision at its November meeting.