DALLAS _ Transgender students will now need their parents' input on how best to navigate schools _ including which bathrooms to use _ according to an updated policy announced by the Fort Worth school district Wednesday.
This comes about two months after Fort Worth became the epicenter of the nation's struggle in addressing transgender students when many clashed over the district's policy that allowed such children to use the bathroom they felt safe in and to keep their gender identity and expression private, even from parents if necessary.
The policy, which was adopted in 2011, sparked outrage from conservatives, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who repeatedly called for Superintendent Kent Scribner's resignation. They accused Scribner of implementing the policy without consulting parents.
Hundreds attended the school board meetings in opposition and in support. Those in the LGBT community said the policy helped maintain a safe environment for all students, particularly those most vulnerable to bullying and threats.
As a result, the school district held meetings across the district to get input from the community. Wednesday's updated guidelines are an attempt to be "more clear, concise and place trust in those most involved to find the right answers for each child," according to the district's release.
"The new guidelines reflect what we've heard from students and teachers, parents and pastors," Scribner said in a statement. "Our focus from the beginning has been the safety of all children and that, overwhelmingly, was the concern we heard from our parents and others."
Transgender students and their parents must now contact a school administrator or counselor to request a meeting to discuss their unique circumstances. Any accommodations _ including the access to restrooms or locker rooms _ will be determined on a case-by-base basis based upon individual needs and school facilities.
When students are separated by gender for facilities or activities, transgender children may participate according to their individual support plan. However, high school sports sanctioned by the University Interscholastic League must adhere to that league's rules, which use the birth certificate to determine gender.
While Fort Worth's policy was initially written in 2011, Scribner sent out clarifying guidelines to staff this spring.
Then as the debate was raging in Fort Worth, the federal Justice Department and Department of Education issued a joint directive telling public schools to let transgender students use the bathrooms that match their gender identity.
The tiny Texas school district of Harrold is now leading the lawsuit that includes about a dozen states and education agencies challenging the directive.
Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is leading the charge on the lawsuit, applauded Fort Worth's new guidelines, saying he now stands ready to defend Fort Worth's decision to address transgender students on an individual basis.
"Unfortunately, the Obama administration disagrees with allowing school officials to make common-sense, case-by-case choices," Paxton said in a release.
Paxton had issued a nonbinding opinion last month saying Fort Worth's previous guidelines violated state law because it could prohibit parents from having key information about their children.
