Education

Parents Plan To Address Berkeley County School District Over ‘Transgender Restroom Controversy’

by Nikki Gaskins Campbell

transgender BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–During Tuesday night’s school board meeting, some parents say they plan to address board members over allowing transgender students to use restrooms for the gender with which they identify.

“If you want to demand answers about the school districts recent decision to allow transgender students to use whichever restroom they choose, this is the meeting to attend!” reads a Facebook event page. “We should have nothing but empathy for young people going through a challenging time but empathy does not mean parents should have to give up their voice in their children’s upbringing, or their own rights to privacy.”

On April 19, 2016, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals which includes South Carolina in its jurisdiction, rendered a decision that transgender students shall be allowed to use the restroom for the gender with which they identify.

The court relied on the federal Title IX law and an opinion letter from the U.S. Department of Education’s Civil Rights Office as basis for their conclusion.

“The safety and security of all our students is our number one priority, and we will continue to take all necessary precautions to ensure that everyone feels safe and secure at school,” reads a statement on the district’s website. “The teachers and administrators with whom you have entrusted your student will continue to monitor and address any safety concerns.”

BCSD officials say they’ve not changed or written any new policies regarding the use of bathrooms by students.

“District policies are consistently aligned with federal and state law,” stated district officials. “To comply with the Fourth Circuit’s ruling, our transgender students were individually offered access to restrooms for the gender with which they identify. In keeping with our legal and professional responsibility to maintain the privacy rights of all of our students, school administrators have worked with students, and their parents, to address these matters on a case by case basis.”

The school board meeting will take place May 10th, 2016 at Berkeley Elementary School on 715 Highway 6 in Moncks Corner at 6:30 p.m.

 
Nikki Gaskins Campbell
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