COLUMBUS, Ind. — Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation parents concerned about policies for transgender students have started a Facebook group and have threatened to hold their students out of class in protest. The parents plan a final appeal to the board before a class boycott would take place.
In May of this year school board members voted to extend protections to Transgender students. The policy was amended in 2013. Board members say the most recent change was to satisfy the recent directive issued by the federal government.
The federal government issued a guideline that says students should be able to use the bathroom or locker room according to the gender they identify with. If the guideline is not followed the federal government could withhold education funding.
Officials acknowledge the May decision would allow a student to use a restroom of the opposite gender, but say each situation will be reviewed individually.
Parents have complained to board members on a regular basis since the May decision. The group has committed to the class boycott if the BCSC board does not reverse its decision at this Monday’s meeting.
