The Glencoe Park District Board will vote later this month on a new transgender policy intended to help prevent discrimination against Park District employees and patrons, after getting the apparent support of the commissioners earlier this week.
Using recommendations written by a Chicago law firm in cooperation with Park District staff, the draft policy – presented Jan. 3 at a meeting of the park board commissioners, who were meeting as the Personnel and Policy Committee – says in part:
*An employee planning a gender transition should give the Park District 60 days’ notice to make preparations to accommodate the employee;
*Once an employee begins living in the gender they transition to, they may use the bathroom they believe properly corresponds to them. That same bathroom option should also apply to transgender individuals using Park District programs.
“It ensures an environment that is safe and free from discrimination,” Executive Director Lisa Sheppard said.
“I thought this was really good and really helpful. I was really impressed,” added commissioner Lisa Brooks.
Park District spokeswoman Erin Maassen said the policy was drafted upon a recommendation from attorneys retained by the Park District because the transgender issue has come into national focus in recent years.
The policy was only briefly discussed at the meeting and no objections were raised. The committee was not tasked with voting on the policy, but the commissioners are expected to formally vote on it when they convene at the next regular board meeting, scheduled for Jan. 17.
Meanwhile, the committee discussed whether the board of directors or the executive director should make decisions about Glencoe Park District fees and charges.
Commissioner Andre Lerman said elected officials should have to approve the various fees the Park District assesses for its programming and uses.
Commissioners currently review any proposed charges, but Sheppard has the final say.
“I think the board has the obligation by representing taxpayers to be able to have a say,” Lerman said.
Park Board President Steve Gaines, however, said Sheppard has the right to set fees and charges as part of her contract.
Gaines noted that Lerman is the only remaining commissioner from when Sheppard was hired in Feb. 2013 with the agreement that she have the final say on the fees.
“That contract that you in part drafted precludes us from doing what you just asked us to do,” Gaines said. “Lisa, as executive director, has the right by contract to make those fee decisions.”
No vote was taken as the meeting, and the subject was eventually tabled. It was not clear if the subject will be brought up again.
Sheppard said after the meeting that she welcomed the feedback.
“It was an open discussion on how they would like to see how we are presenting these charges,” she said.
Sheppard signed a contract extension last year that runs through Feb. 2019.
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.
