The Perkiomen Valley School District in Pennsylvania pulled a complete 180 on their proposal regarding transgender use of girls restrooms following a mass student walkout a few weeks ago.
The District passed Policy 720, which mandates students to use bathrooms that align with their biological sex reflecting their willingness to do the right and listen to students and parents who opposed anything different.
Speaking to FOX News, Tim Jagger, a parent within the district, commented on the decision, “I believe it had to do with all the students and the students voicing their opinion. The student walkout and the community members expressing their concerns during the board meeting played a pivotal role.”
“I believe that all this came together and influenced the school board members. It’s heartening to see that they decided to revise their policy,” he continued.
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This policy change came into the spotlight after Jagger shared on social media that his daughter felt deeply disturbed and hesitant to use school restrooms following an alleged encounter with a transgender student. However, as reported by WPVI-TV in Philadelphia, neither Jagger nor his daughter could confidently confirm if the student in question was biologically male.
Adding clarity to the policy, the report also highlighted that the new regulation now allows students and staff, irrespective of their gender, to use single-use bathrooms – a facility that was previously exclusive to teachers.
Interestingly, when the Perkiomen Valley School Board first reviewed this policy, they dismissed it in a close 4-5 vote. However, the decision was revisited when board member Don Fountain changed his stance, resulting in an approval.
Jagger expressed confusion over why a policy permitting biological males to use female bathrooms was authorized initially. He mentioned, “They went back to the 2018 Policy 103 where they added gender identity as a safety measure and a nondiscrimination clause. But it seems many were unaware that it extended to restrooms. My daughter’s experience shed light on this, and when I inquired, I was informed about the policy. It seems that even some school board members were unaware until it was brought to their attention.”
John Ott, who orchestrated the student walkout, emphasized the protest’s core concern to FOX News, stating it was about “protecting girls who are not comfortable having biological males in restrooms with them. Kids were upset. Girls, in particular, were uncomfortable and didn’t want men in their bathroom.”
Addressing the policy’s reconsideration, the President of the Perkiomen Valley School Board articulated respect for the board’s decision, regardless of personal voting choices.
“Although I voted differently than the majority of the board, as board president, I respect the outcome of the vote and those who voted against expediting the policy,” the president shared with FOX News.
“I also deeply appreciate our student body and the 300+ students who exercised their First Amendment right to voice their opinion in favor of the policy during their protest,” he continued.
This gives hope to many communities battling transgender use of bathrooms and locker rooms in schools. The weight of collective student voice and community sentiment was loud and was heard. The battle is far from over in this country and each victory is hugely important.
