ROCKFORD, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The Mead family’s clash with Rockford Public Schools has become the test case for a hot-button question in Michigan: Do schools have a constitutional duty to tell parents if their child wants to use a new gender identity at school?

Dan and Jennifer Mead allege that district staff began calling their 13-year-old daughter by a masculine name and pronouns without their knowledge or consent – and even altered documents to hide it. The parents claim this violated their Fourteenth Amendment rights to direct their child’s upbringing and medical care, as well as their First Amendment right to exercise their faith.

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The district counters that it simply followed 2016 guidance from the Michigan State Board of Education which encourages schools to respect students’ privacy and use chosen names and pronouns – carefully weighing gender disclosure on a case-by-case basis when a student has not come out to their parent(s). Such guidance is voluntary and not a mandate from the Board of Education.

A federal judge weighs in.

In mid-September, U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney issued a ruling that keeps the case alive – mostly. He found that the Meads plausibly alleged the district infringed on their fundamental parental rights under the Fourteenth Amendment and that they could pursue a procedural due-process claim.

But the judge tossed their First Amendment free-exercise claim, saying the facts didn’t show the district had burdened the family’s religious practice.

What Rockford argues.

Rockford insists it has no constitutional duty to report every student request that might ruffle parental feathers on personal religious or moral beliefs. Its motion to dismiss argued that no federal court has recognized such a right, and that the district acted to comply with anti-discrimination laws and state guidance designed to protect LGBTQ students from bullying.

Why this matters beyond Rockford.

The case could set precedent in Michigan and perhaps ripple beyond. Parents argue it’s about their fundamental right to know and decide on major issues affecting their children. Schools argue it’s about protecting vulnerable students who may not feel safe at home if they disclose their gender identity.

The lawsuit now heads into discovery, where both sides will dig deeper – and engage in more legal disputes. For now, the judge has left the door open wide enough for the Meads to continue their fight.