D211 to Discuss Locker Room Policy Change Next Week

PALATINE, IL — The public will again get to sound off on whether transgender students should be allowed unrestricted access to locker rooms during a Township High School District 211 meeting next week. The proposal first came before the school board at a hearing in recent weeks and school board members directed administrators to tweak the policy before another meeting was held.

District 211 Director Of Community Relations Tom Peterson told Patch a special board meeting on the matter will be held on Oct 10 but the time and location of the meeting has not yet been set. The school board will then review the JAA Equal Educational Opportunities proposal during an Oct. 17 meeting.

The proposed policy states: No student shall, based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity be denied equal access to programs, activities, services, or benefits or be limited in the exercise of any right, privilege, advantage, or denied equal access to educational and extracurricular programs and activities."

Currently, transgender students are allowed to change in privacy stalls in the locker rooms meant for the gender they identify with. The new policy gives transgender students more freedoms.

"Students shall be treated and supported in a manner consistent with their gender identity, which shall include students having access to restrooms and locker rooms that correspond to their gender identity," according to the proposed policy.

Patch will update with more information as it becomes available

MORE ON PATCH

• Transgender Locker Room Policy Lawsuit Against School Dropped
• 51 Families Sue Palatine District 211 Over Transgender Student's Locker Room Use (UPDATED)
• Meeting On Transgender Students Locker Room Access is This Week