So if a kid wants to be called Mike or Bob, stick to Michael or Robert no matter what? I had a student last year with a foreign name. His friends called him Steve though...have for years. So, go against that? Had another student who was a 3rd ( gpa was senior, dad was junior). The common name they had been called going back to gpa was Bob. That name is not on the record. If the students wants to go by Bob, and I refuse, it creates more problems than it is worth. I have had multiple transgender students the last few years; great kids as well, and solid students. It is no issue for me to call them by the name they want. Again, I am not willing to insert my personal beliefs where they do not belong.
As far as this case goes, the teacher was even told by his association and the ISTA legal rep that he had no leg to stand on in this case.