TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Latest on state officials weighing in on taking possible action on the Obama administration’s directive on transgender students’ use of bathrooms in public schools (all times local):
4:55 p.m.
Kansas school board members unanimously voted to ignore a federal directive that all public schools allow transgender students to use restrooms that match their gender identity, instead deferring to the regulations of school districts.
What remains unclear is whether or not the 10-0 vote will endanger over $479 million in federal aid, or about 10 percent of the state’s education budget.
Scott Gordon, general counsel for the state’s education department, said that the threat of loss of federal funding is not sweeping. The entire state would not lose federal education funding if one school is found out of compliance with the anti-discrimination law.
Gordon noted that only one transgender student filed a complaint for alleged discrimination with the Office of Civil Rights in 2015. Board members cited the low rate of incidents as proof that districts already have adequate regulations in place.
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3:15 p.m.
The Kansas State Board of Education is considering whether to take action on a White House directive that public schools allow transgender students to use restrooms that match their gender identity.
The board began discussing the issue Tuesday afternoon during a meeting.
Board members voted against issuing a public statement last month rebuking the directive, citing that they needed more time to discuss the matter with attorneys and to review school districts’ policies.
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11:40 a.m.
Topeka Public Schools board member Peg McCarthy spoke in favor of the Obama administration’s directive and encouraged board members to also support it during the state board of education’s public forum.
The school district added gender identity and gender expression to the schools’ non-discrimination policy five years ago, McCarthy said. She told The Associated Press that schools statewide should amend their non-discrimination policy to ensure protection for transgender students.
She cited that 90 percent of transgender students experience verbal or physical harassment at schools nationwide.
“All they ask is to learn and live in peace and safety,” McCarthy said.
Topeka public schools also allow transgender students to use restrooms and locker rooms that correspond with their gender identity and offers gender neutral facilities.
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1 a.m.
The Kansas State Board of Education plans to discuss and take possible action on the Obama administration’s directive that public schools allow transgender students to use the restroom that matches their gender identity.
The Tuesday board meeting follows Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt’s announcement that the state will sue the U.S. Departments of Justice and Education, which issued the decree. Board members voted last month against issuing a public statement last month rebuking the directive, citing a need for more time to discuss the matter with attorneys and to review school districts’ policies.
Some districts have said their current practice mirrors the federal directive. Lawrence School Board Vice President Vanessa Sanburn said she hopes that the state board will allow the district to continue accommodating the needs of transgender students.
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