Updated at 8:51 p.m. to include public documents.

A popular Mansfield ISD art teacher was placed on administrative leave with pay in September after she asked officials to modify the district's anti-discrimination policy to include LGBTQ language, documents show.

Stacy Bailey, an art teacher at Charlotte Anderson Elementary School, emailed MISD Assistant Superintendent David Wright and several school board members Aug. 25 to "begin a conversation" about including "sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression" in the policy's language, according to documents obtained by The Dallas Morning News.

In emails to Wright and the board members, Bailey stated she was told by MISD Associate Superintendent Kimberley Cantu and the human resources department to contact them about her concerns. She cited San Antonio, Dallas and Austin as Texas school districts that have added LGBTQ language to their policies.

"I think it is important that MISD starts movement towards progress now," Bailey's email read. "We have many LGBTQ teachers, students, and families in this district. We deserve the right to feel protected by our district."

Congrats again to our 2016 Charlotte Anderson Teacher of the year, Ms. Stacy Bailey! #MISDOscarNight2017 #youmakeusproud @msbailey_cae pic.twitter.com/VxulHogYPH — Ms. Clayton (@msclayton_cae) May 8, 2017

Almost two weeks later, on Sept. 7, Bailey emailed Michelle Smith and Sarah Buckner, counselors at Ben Barber Innovation Academy, to ask if that school had a gay/straight alliance group so she could try to connect with the faculty members who may have organized such a group.

"I'm currently starting dialogue with the district to update our discriminatory policy to include protection for LGBTQ students, families and teachers," Bailey's email said. "I'm doing some research on how/if MISD high school campuses supply support to their LGBTQ students."

Smith replied a few minutes later to say the school did have a group and the sponsor was culinary arts teacher Lisa Amoriello.

Bailey then emailed Amoriello that she was "trying to come up with a plan to get LGBTQ language in MISD's non-discrimination policy" and that she planned to meet with district officials "next Monday to hopefully start progress to do this."

But the next day, Sept. 8, the documents show, Cantu sent a letter to Bailey notifying her that the district was placing her on administrative leave with pay "until an investigation is completed." The three-paragraph letter did not disclose a reason for the disciplinary action or the basis for an investigation.

But it did give specific directions to Bailey about her conduct during the leave. She was instructed to "make no contact with students, parents or other staff members," or to discuss her "administrative leave situation with others." She was also told not to access any school technology, her office or department, the letter said.

The letter was signed by Cantu for MISD Superintendent Jim Vaszauskas. Cantu also made a handwritten note on the letter that Bailey refused to sign it.

Bailey has declined to discuss her situation. Her attorney, Giana Ortiz, said Wednesday that she is unable to comment about Bailey's administrative leave as well. But she did offer a defense of Bailey's character and work ethic.

"I can say, however, that her record in MISD has been exemplary," Ortiz said via email. "She has touched many lives through her passion for teaching and for her students. I believe it is a great disservice to the children of Charlotte Anderson Elementary that they've been without their art teacher for the majority of this year. Stacy appreciates the community's support."

MISD officials have previously confirmed that Bailey is on leave, but declined to speak about the specifics of the action taken against her.

In an emailed statement provided by MISD on Wednesday, however, the district said its policy "prohibits discrimination, including harassment, against any employee on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability or any other basis prohibited by law. In other words, Mansfield ISD does not condone harassment or discrimination of any kind toward anyone."

Although the policy does not contain specific LGBTQ language, Donald Williams, MISD associate superintendent of communications, said in a follow-up telephone interview Wednesday that the policy is meant to be all-inclusive.

"Our current anti-discrimination policy covers all employees, including the LGBT community," Williams said. "That's really the heart of Mansfield ISD. We truly believe that and that is our position. We don't discriminate against any of our employees."

Approximately 40 parents and students showed up at a recent Mansfield ISD board meeting to speak in support of Charlotte Anderson Elementary School art teacher Stacy Bailey. (Florence Salazar Bruner)

The suspension of Bailey, a former teacher of the year at the school, has rankled many current and former Charlotte Anderson parents and students.

Approximately 40 parents and students showed up at the Feb. 28 school board meeting to speak in support of the veteran educator. Some of them carried signs that read "I stand with Miss Bailey" while some brought art created in her class.

"She brings diversity to this classroom that is lacking in so many schools and in so many districts today," parent Rebecca Cavitt told the board that night. "She accepts my child for who she is and she loves her for it. I'm perplexed how this person who everyone seems to adore can be kept from our children."