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ISSUE | TRANSGENDER STUDENT POLICIES: Policies surrounding transgender students have become key points of debate in school board races around the Sacramento region and the nation.
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In the Elk Grove Unified School District Board of Education race, where incumbent Michael Vargas is seeking his second term as trustee against challenger Kirk Thomson, the two candidates have publicly taken different stances on the issue.
Here’s what both candidates have said so far.
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Michael Vargas, incumbent
Vargas, a trustee who represents much of central Elk Grove, said in an interview with The Sacramento Bee in March that he helped to introduce a resolution recognizing Transgender Day of Visibility in 2024.
that the day, celebrated internationally on March 31 and created in 2009, is “a time to celebrate the lives and achievements of the transgender community” and that the district “is committed to standing up against the discrimination and violence that has made it difficult for the transgender community to be visible and live their authentic lives.” It also says is the district’s responsibility to “ensure that every individual in our school communities is valued and respected.”
Kirk Thomson, challenger
During a public comment session at a school board meeting last year, Thomson spoke in support of a potential resolution to ban transgender students from participating in girls’ school sports, introduced by trustee Heidi Moore, who represents Area 7, including northeast Elk Grove and areas of Wilton, Rancho Cordova and unincorporated Sacramento County.
Thomson called the potential resolution “common sense” and argued that “boys and girls are different.” The board voted 6-1 to stop future discussion of that proposal.
At a school board meeting in March where trustees voted to again recognize Transgender Day of Visibility, Thomson spoke against the resolution, saying that the trustees were pushing a “failing and dangerous agenda” and citing studies that he said “highlighted serious risk with so-called gender interventions in kids.”
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Why it matters
The candidates’ differing takes on transgender student policies reflect the progressive versus conservative approach playing out in school systems across America. Elk Grove school officials have leaned toward the progressive side.
At a school board meeting in 2024 where the resolution was passed, Vargas said that visibility is powerful, leading to more understanding and less discrimination. He said that supporting transgender students is crucial to supporting the health, safety and academic achievement of students, calling on the district to “actively create and foster a supportive school environment, empower trans students and their families, and ensure that all students have access to trans stories and voices.”
Vargas said in a March interview with The Bee that his personal opinion is that it is important to address the unique needs of students and to surface what students may be experiencing in order to serve them properly. “I think it’s always been the mandate of educators that we set aside our personal views, beliefs and prejudices and meet students where they are in their journey of development,” he said. “It’s about illuminating those students and families that need our attention at this crucial moment in their lives.”
If Thomson were elected, it would put an additional voice on the board that wants to head in a different direction.
In an interview with The Bee in August, Thomson said he would promote transparency on the board regarding discussions surrounding “biological boys in girls’ spaces,” regarding the debate surrounding transgender girls participating in girls’ sports and using restrooms and other facilities marked for girls.
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