South Western School Board amends proposed bathroom policy affecting transgender students
In a 9-0 vote, The South Western School Board on Wednesday voted to accept additions to a proposed bathroom policy, after several months of development. A final vote could come in August.
Board member Matt Gelazela highlighted several additions to the potential policy, including:
It would outline the privacy protection measures for when students utilize the showers.
It will be available in student handbooks for each school year.
Parents may submit a written request to the building principal that their child(ren) can be restricted from the use of specific facilities in the building their child(ren) attends. If the district becomes aware that their child(ren) use the restricted facility, parents and guardians will be notified.
In April of this year, South Western School Board members proposed a policy offering students a choice of two facilities: one designated for use based on sex assigned at birth, a second option designated for use based on gender identity.
The policy also outlines the option of a single-user bathroom, made available to students who prefer not to use a sex-assigned-at-birth facility or a gender-identity facility.
"All students have an expectation of privacy in District facilities, regardless of whether they use sex assigned at birth facilities or gender identity facilities," the policy read.
The policy provides definitions of several key terms such as "facility," any restroom, locker room, or shower located on district property. Or "gender identity," one’s innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both or neither.
Upon proposal, certain aspects of the policy raised questions and concerns among board members and parents, requiring the board to continue to make adjustments to the policy.
More: South Western School Board to revisit proposed transgender bathroom policy
Superintendent Jay Burkhardt said the bathroom policy will not be changed across elementary schools, though if a student felt comfortable using a private, single-use bathroom, a conversation would be had with parents, and the student could be provided use of a single-use facility.
In the last few years, conversations on issues facing LGBTQ+ individuals have increased in schools, including the right to use restrooms and participation in activities such as sports aligned with their gender identity.
Recently, West York Area School District passed a resolution that permits its female athletes to opt out of competition that involves transgender athletes.
More: West York school policy allows girls to choose not to compete against transgender athletes
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: South Western School Board amends a proposed bathroom policy
