Transgender restroom debate arises in Pine-Richland School District
Speakers at a Pine-Richland School Board meeting Monday continued to raise concerns about the district's practice of allowing transgender students to use restrooms based on the gender with which they identify.
But several current and former Pine-Richland students, many wearing T-shirts reading, “Pine-Richland Does Not Discriminate,” spoke in support of the transgender students and urged the board to keep the current practice in place while the district works on a formal policy.
“We are the ones dealing with this on a daily basis, and I think it is safe to say the majority do not see it as an issue,” said senior Hannah Reiling. “It has just been blown out of proportion.”
Superintendent Brian Miller said the district has had no reports of any incidents or inappropriate actions by students but acknowledged that some parents expressed concerns about how the practice could affect their children.
Pine-Richland enrolls about 4,600 students from Pine and Richland. District officials have declined to specify how many transgender students are enrolled.
About 125 people attended Monday night's meeting, and many adults expressed reservations about the practice.
“I applaud the students who spoke here tonight and respect their opinions,” parent Amy Nichols said. “But until you are a parent, you can't possibly understand what we are going through with this issue.”
Pine-Richland, like many Western Pennsylvania school districts, has no specific written policy about transgender students' use of restroom or locker room facilities, but the issue has been a frequent topic in recent weeks.
The first step in what is expected to be a long process in establishing a policy is a meeting scheduled Thursday of the school board's Student Services Committee, which will feature experts on transgender issues and rights. That meeting will start at 6 p.m. in the high school auditorium and will be open to the public.
Miller sent a letter to parents this year explaining the district's practice and saying it complies with federal civil rights law.
He explained that for several years in the high school, transgender students have had the option of using a private restroom, such as the one in the nurse's office; a unisex facility; or the restroom of their gender identity — defined as a person's internal sense of being male or female.
The superintendent said Monday that has been the case in the high school only, and the practice does not extend to locker rooms, athletic teams or overnight trips.
“We have a responsibility to respond to unique needs, whether they are academic, social, physical or emotional,” Miller said.
Vince Townley is a Tribune-Review staff writer.
