DOVER — The Dover School Board unanimously voted to adopt a policy pertaining to transgender and gender nonconforming students.

According to the policy passed at Thursday’s board meeting, its purpose is to provide “a safe and supportive learning environment for all students that is free from discrimination, harassment, bullying and intimidation.”

The policy identifies “transgender” as “an umbrella term for an individual whose gender identity or expression is different from that traditionally associated with their assigned sex at birth.”

Among the issues addressed by the policy is “ensuring that any incident of discrimination, harassment, or violence is given immediate attention, including investigating the incident, taking appropriate corrective action, and providing students and staff with appropriate resources.”

It outlines a procedure that will be taken to help transgender and gender nonconforming students. In the procedure, the student or their parent/guardian “should contact the student’s counselor or building administrator.” Following that, a meeting will be arranged and the school will develop an individual written plan.

The policy also states that, “a student who has been identified as transgender under this policy should be permitted to use the restrooms assigned to the gender which the student consistently asserts at school.” If requested, alternative methods like access to a private bathroom will be used.

Similar procedures are outlined for locker rooms, but the policy does stress the importance of “the safety and comfort of students; the transgender student’s preference; student privacy; the ages of students; and available facilities.”

Prior to adoption, the board eliminated a portion of the procedure section of the policy, which stated, “the school may request documentation from medical providers or other service providers as necessary to assist staff in developing a plan appropriate for the student.”

Board member Carolyn Mebert raised the question of changing the gender-specific robe colors for graduation to eliminate a potential issue for teachers, staff and students.

On Tuesday night, the Portsmouth Herald reported the Portsmouth School Board approving a similar policy. In January, the town of Durham passed a resolution dealing with transgender and gender nonconforming residents.