Nationwide Debate Over Transgender Bathrooms Comes To Pine-Richland School District
RICHLAND TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- The Pine-Richland School District doesn't have a specific policy on the use of restrooms for transgender students, but changes could be on the way.
Currently, the practice in the district is that transgender students can use the bathroom of the gender they identify with, or a private bathroom, such as one in the nurse's office.
But it all came to a head at a school board meeting Monday night when several parents talked about their worries. They said they are concerned about safety, privacy and whether their children will feel uncomfortable if they use the same restrooms as transgender students.
No one from the Pine-Richland School District would appear on camera, but Delta Foundation President Gary Van Horn talked about the issue on Wednesday.
"This is a conversation that is obviously going on across America right now, and it's something that needs to be addressed," he said.
One family in the district is addressing it. They have hired an attorney who is representing three transgender students in the district, including their daughter.
"It's something we need to continue to learn about and explore, and as people learn this, their hearts and minds will continue to change," Van Horn said.
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The district is holding an informational meeting on Thursday, April 21 to give parents and other students more background information.
The district plans to bring in experts from medical fields to give those in the in attendance more insight.
A letter went out to parents back in March explaining the present policy and goes on to define transgender.
There are 4,600 students in the district. Administrators say there have been no reports of incidents or inappropriate actions among the students.
