Central Bucks Parents Raise Money For Counselor's Training

DOYLESTOWN, PA — The Central Bucks community has raised more than $5,000 to help send a Central Bucks school counselor to an upcoming training program on transgender inclusivity after the school board denied her request at its last meeting.

At the May 11 school board meeting, five of the school board members voted against a $1,000 line item that would allow for Dr. Steph Graziosi-Hibbs, Linden Elementary School's counselor, to attend a training program on transgender inclusivity at Widener University's Affirming Schools for Transgender Students Program.

Following that decision, local parent Emily Liberman started a GoFundMe page to raise money for the effort.

"This unexpected vote at this week's school board meeting has sent a chilling and harmful message to transgender and gender diverse students, staff, families and supporters across the district," Lieberman wrote on the page.

The training program is a 5 half-day program that includes education and training sessions along with personal consultation.

School board director Daniel Ring said on his campaign's Facebook page that he voted against the measure because the same person who is running the conference already presented to the district in March.

Many parents intend to speak up about the issue at the school board's Tuesday meeting, which will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Central Bucks Educational Services Building, 16 Welden Drive, in Doylestown. There will be limited seating available. The meeting will also be live-streamed and recorded for public review.

If the board decides to grant the request, the monies raised via the GoFundMe page will be used toward programs or training for transgender students or staff in the Central Bucks School District, Lieberman said.

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