An Idaho school board passed a policy Wednesday that requires students to be referred to and treated in accordance with their biological sex, according to KXLY News.
In a 5-1 vote, the West Bonner School Board approved a policy that would require students to be separated by biological sex when going on overnight trips, according to KXLY News. The policy also mandates that educators use a student’s biological name and pronouns unless given written permission by a parent. (RELATED: Another California School District Approves Policy To Tell Parents If Child Is Trans)
“The Board believes that maintaining appropriate sex-based distinctions in school restrooms, changing facilities, overnight accommodations and sports is essential to ensuring equal opportunities for all students, protecting student privacy and safety, and providing a safe learning environment for all students,” the policy reads.
Under the policy, girls are permitted to compete on boys’ sports teams if given written permission by a parent and approved by the school district. The policy requires bathrooms and locker rooms to be used on the basis of biological sex rather than gender identity.
The school district will provide a “reasonable accommodation” for a student or teacher who is “unwilling or unable to use a multi-occupancy restroom or changing facility,” the policy states.
“There’s a lot of tension and I just want to remind the whole community, just like treat people kindly and respectfully, I think everyone could use a little bit of a reminder of that,” a woman said at the board meeting, according to KXLY News. “The kids don’t need to go into the school year with negative connotations.”
On Aug. 10, a federal judge blocked an Idaho law that would have prohibited the use of bathrooms in public schools on the basis of gender identity rather than biological sex. The law allows students and their families to sue school districts for $5,000 if the act is violated.
Parents, lawmakers and school boards in numerous states are considering how to separate bathrooms, locker rooms and sports teams; Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration released finalized guidance that requires school districts to separate bathrooms on the basis of biological sex. A federal judge ruled that an Ohio school district’s policy that allows students to use the bathroom on the basis of gender identity rather than biological sex, may continue to be enacted.
The West Bonner School Board did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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