BRIDGEPORT — The city Board of Education is considering a new policy that would ensure transgender and non-binary students have the right to be addressed by the pronouns they prefer in the classroom.

The discussions, which are still in the early stages, began last month when the school board's teaching and learning committee met to consider drawing up formal guidelines clarifying protections for gender non-conforming students.

The policy was proposed by board member Joseph Sokolovic, who argued the district should do more to prevent LGBTQ students from being unintentionally misgendered or bullied for expressing their gender identity.

"It doesn't cost anybody anything but it could have astronomical benefits, especially for children who are growing up and are questioning themselves," Sokolovic said.

Sokolovic, a member of the Working Families Party who has described himself as a fiscal conservative passionate about social issues, did not share specific language he had in mind for the policy, but referenced similar rules enacted by districts across the state.

The Connecticut Association of Boards of Education has recommended school boards adopt policies respecting a student's right to be addressed by a name and pronoun that corresponds to their gender identity.

Some school boards, including the one in Hartford, have taken up that call, but several others have not. Selena Morgan, Bridgeport's executive director of elementary education, told the committee the district has no formal policy addressing the needs of transgender students.

Sokolovic is technically not a member of the teaching and learning committee. Former board Chairperson John Weldon removed Sokolovic from his committee assignments in July after a disagreement, but he has largely defied that order and continues to attend meetings.

Elijah Lombardi, a member of the Connecticut TransAdvocacy Coalition, a Hartford-based organization that supports transgender rights, called the board committee's discussion a good first step.

Lombardi argued that a written policy protecting non gender-conforming students would help build their self esteem by creating a safe and welcoming learning environment.

"When someone says what they're gender is, then that's who they are," he said. "Learning implies respect and devoting your time to making sure that everyone feels welcomed. That's why this is so important."

But some committee members expressed skepticism about drafting new district-wide rules. Joseph Lombard, who called the discussion a worthwhile topic, warned that making the policy mandatory could raise legal issues if an employee or students openly violates it in the future.

"I'm all about education, I'm not about mandating things," Lombard said. "That could cause a big can of worms."

Board member Christine Baptiste-Perez, the committee chairperson, echoed Lombard's concerns and said she was worried the topic would pose challenges for teachers instructing young students about language structure.

Baptiste-Perez suggested the board consider implementing a version of the policy incrementally. She said she would ask the board attorney to draw a memo summarizing the current law and potential steps the group could take.

The committee, which generally meets once a month, has not yet scheduled its next meeting, according to board documents.