Central Bucks School Board OKs Teacher's Transgender Training

DOYLESTOWN, PA — Public outcry led the Central Bucks School Board to approve a faculty member's request to attend a training program on transgender inclusivity.

The board voted 7-2 at its Tuesday meeting to allocate $1,000 to cover the costs for Dr. Steph Graziosi-Hibbs, Linden Elementary School's counselor, to attend Widener University's Affirming Schools for Transgender Students Program. Board President Dana Hunter and board member Sharon Collopy voted against the measure.

The board had previously denied the teacher's request at its May 11 meeting, which resulted in public backlash and a GoFundMe page to send Graziosi-Hibbs to the conference, which has since raised more than $5,000 for the effort.

The vote came toward the end of a nearly three-hour school board meeting that also resulted in a change of leadership.

Now that Graziosi-Hibbs' request has been approved, GoFundMe organizer Emily Lieberman said the funds raised may be used to send additional staff members to the training conference.

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