Transgender directive starts local conversation

    COUNTY-- Local school administrators are waiting to take further action on a new federal transgender directive until they receive additional instructions from the state level, and discuss the matter openly among themselves and with the Iowa Association of School Boards.
    The directive, handed down in May, is geared toward inclusivity of transgender students in public schools.
    The Harlan Community School District currently is the only school in the region with openly transgender students.
    “We respect all students,” Harlan Community Superintendent of Schools Justin Wagner said. “I think that it’s really important to remember the ‘all’ in that.”