ATHENS, Ohio — Under the cloud of Ohio’s new ‘bathroom bill,’ which went into effect this week, Athens City School District Associate Superintendent Chad Springer held a public information session at Athens High School about the district’s plans regarding laws impacting LGBTQ+ students.
The information session addressed two relevant state laws, including the bathroom bill and House Bill 8, which is slated to go into effect on July 1. About 80 community members attended.
The bathroom bill requires students to use bathrooms corresponding with the gender they were assigned at birth. Addressing the district’s response, Springer said that all ACSD buildings have easily accessible gender neutral bathrooms, noting that there are two additional gender neutral bathrooms at the high school that were previously off-limits to students but will now be available for use.
“High schoolers are going to do high school things,” said Springer. “But I wanted those bathrooms available; we’ll deal with any disciplinary issues if they arise.”
Springer said House Bill 8 has the most wide-ranging implications. The bill requires teachers and administrators to notify parents when students disclose transgender identity.
Springer said the district is still looking for clarity from legal counsel on whether the law applies to marginalized sexualities, too.
“We’ve never been put in a position of outing individuals,” Springer said. “What concerns me is that we know of individuals who are exploring their sexuality, but that their family may or may not be supportive. It goes directly against our mantra, which is ‘Do no harm.’”
Springer said the bill goes even further because it is retroactive, meaning if ACSD already knows a student’s transgender identity, parents must still be notified.
During the meeting, emotions were running hot. Fifteen minutes into his presentation, Springer was interrupted by local activist Mosha Trout, who shouted, “This is bullshit!” and then tore up a flyer and tossed it onto the floor.
Trout and other attendees implored the school district to disregard the law, welcome a lawsuit or employ alternative, subversive tactics to help protect students.
Earlier this month, Columbus City Schools’ Board of Education voted to rescind a policy on gendered restrooms, despite threats of legal action from Ohio Attorney General David Yost. While the district no longer has guidance in place on gendered restrooms, it did state it would abide by applicable laws, according to reporting by WOSU.
Springer said he was willing to meet with parents individually and include their input on the district’s procedures.
Many parents were appreciative of Springer holding the forum.
“He’s in a tough spot, but I know he cares about the kids,” said one parent with a trans child. “It’s just heartbreaking for everyone involved.”
Kerry Pigman, parent of an AHS student, said, “I’m glad the district held the meeting. People are so activated, scared, and angry right now. I am, as always, hopeful that the community can come together to build a system of support in this new reality. This is not a problem that any one person or organization can solve alone.”
Let us know what's happening in your neck of the woods!
Get in touch and share a story!
