From what I see in another article (from CBS, linked below), Soren has said a legal name change is now in progress.
As for the school board, their firm position is that graduation ceremonies are official school business, and that legal names are to be used in all matters of official school business, including diplomas. From a legal perspective, one could argue that the ceremony is not valid if the name called out differs from that which is printed on the diploma. I'm not versed in Georgia state law, but is it possible someone could contest a legal ceremony (such as a graduation) if the proper process isn't followed?
In the article linked below, the school board has also said, "If any student or family changes a student's legal name, we update that student's official record which impacts, among other examples, their schedules, transcripts, and diplomas."
It's not about "cruel" vs. "kind", but about an institution sticking to what's right, and not veering from proper practice and giving special treatment "cuz feelings".
Not every inconvenience faced by a trans person is "transphobia".
