A balancing act

COEUR d’ALENE — Discussions have begun in the Coeur d’Alene School District regarding what interactions and communications are appropriate between students and school counselors.

The topic was the main item on the school board’s agenda during a special workshop Monday in Midtown Meeting Center. The workshop was attended in person by a handful of community members and district officials while others tuned in online.

"We had an incident that happened earlier in the year that really drew a lot of attention and scrutiny to the work of our counselors,” Superintendent Steve Cook said. "I think it’s worthy of a conversation."

The incident involved an elementary school student who sought guidance from a counselor regarding gender transitioning. The confidentiality between students and counselors is now under the microscope following a social media explosion, an organization from outside North Idaho getting involved and public outcry on several sides of this issue.

In 2014, a mostly conservative school board unanimously adopted guidelines regarding gender identity. This is the standing guidance, along with a model policy provided by the Idaho School Board Association.

According to Idaho code, two scenarios exist when confidentiality between school officials and students is to be broken — when there is evidence of self-harm or when there is proof of known abuse or neglect.

Trustees discussed potential gaps in policy and procedure that would require a closer look. They also discussed at which point to involve parents/guardians if a student is seeking frequent counseling, and how alerting parents/guardians could even put some children in harm's way.

"How do you balance that need for attention and confidentiality that a student would want, when you’re also trying to respect that dynamic?" Cook asked.

Board Chair Jennifer Brumley said she wanted to respond to emails the board has received and "get rid of the rumor." She said she was not aware of any counselors promoting LGBTQ agendas or any counselors encouraging sexual activity. She has also received questions about the ability for students to opt out of sex ed, which they 100% can, she said.

"We do have policy in place, and to the extent that policy was not or had not been followed, the appropriate action is or would be taken," Brumley said. "I am not aware of this policy being violated in the circumstance that brought this to us or any other circumstance."

More work on this issue will take place, as the board has requested school counselors from across the district gather to provide insight and help fill any potential policy gaps moving forward.