Pennsylvania school board approves ‘commonsense’ policy that keeps biological males out of female facilities

A Pennsylvania school board voted to pass a policy requiring students to use facilities that align with their biological gender, reversing its earlier decision, which hundreds of students protested.

During the school board meeting Monday, the Perkiomen Valley School Board voted 5-4 to pass Policy 720, according to 6 ABC.

The new policy mandates students must use gender designated restrooms, locker rooms and showers according to their biological sex in all district buildings.

The same policy was rejected by the board in its previous meeting on Monday, Sept. 11. The following Friday, more than 300 students walked out of classes in protest of the board’s decision.

“Kids were upset,” John Ott, the student who organized the walkout, said on Fox News. “Girls… we wanted to protect them. They were upset. They did not want men in their bathroom.” 

Two of the board members who opposed Policy 720 tried to implement their own policy, which was ultimately rejected in favor of policy 720. 

During the latest meeting, some parents spoke strongly for the policy. 

“There is a commonsense solution on the table and that is for transgender students to use the single stall bathrooms,” said a parent of two, identified as Tom C. “This does the greatest good for the greatest number for the longest amount of time.” 

“I know as an adult I would not want to enter a bathroom and find a biological male in that space, so why should we allow this for our precious children?” Stephanie Ott said. “We are not about hate, we want what is best and safe for the entire student body. The students that choose to identify differently have single stall bathrooms provided for them.” 

However, some opposed to the policy claimed it will invite lawsuits. 

“(Policy 720) does not consider Title IX, it does not bring into account the fact that we’re going to be in lawsuits,” School board member Tammy Campli said. 

“The policy not only harms transgender young people but could subject the school district to costly litigation,” the American Civil Liberties Union wrote in a statement.  

Critics say the ACLU is eager to sue to advance its progressive agenda. Indeed, the group goes on to write, “We encourage any families affected by the policy to contact the ACLU-PA.”