Aug. 20, 2019 9:30p; Updated Aug. 21 11:50a with link to proposed policy
(WGTD)---Four years ago, Kenosha Unified went to the mat to keep transgender student Ash Whitaker out of boys’ bathrooms at Tremper High School. Now the district is being asked to go on record firmly in favor of transgender student rights.
A proposed policy was rolled out at a special school board meeting Tuesday night by Ron Stadler, the same attorney who fought the district’s losing battles in federal court. "I think the purpose of this policy is to acknowledge that transgender and gender non-conforming students have rights and are being recognized by courts as having rights," Stadler said.
He said the policy as presented tries to balance the rights of transgender students with the privacy concerns that other students may have.
Under the proposed policy, students will be allowed to use restrooms and locker rooms of the gender of which they identify. Other students who are bothered by it will be directed to use private restrooms or changing facilities.
The policy is an approach taken almost universally now by school districts, Stadler said.
There are some grayer components of the proposal. For example, should minor students be allowed to choose their gender even if the choice goes against the wishes of their parents?
School officials are encouragining public comment at upcoming board meetings.
No action was taken Tuesday night.
By the way, the Whitaker case was settled out of court after the school district’s insurance company withdrew an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
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