Fargo’s superintendent reacts to ND laws

The leader of North Dakota’s largest school district says he plans to prioritize student needs over new laws and restrictions on LGBTQ students.

Fargo Superintendent Rupak Gandhi says suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people – and LGBTQ teens are four times more likely to commit suicide.  “It’s unfortunate I think that we as adults in North Dakota and our legislative session failed our children.  We are putting our politics over their humanity when at a time every piece of data will show you that our students need advocates not opposition.”

North Dakota Republican Gov. Doug Burgum this week signed a bill that prohibits public schools and government entities from requiring teachers to refer to transgender people by the pronouns they use. The new law also requires teachers to tell a parent or legal guardian if the student identifies as transgender.

Gandhi says many of the state laws enacted during the legislative session conflict with federal law.

Although no official action was taken at last night’s (Tuesday) meeting – every school board member voiced support for Gandhi’s policy decision.