Deerfield Public Schools District 109 claims it has followed state law, but is that the right thing to do if true?
By Jackson Thompson | Fox News
Deerfield Public Schools District 109 has responded to a federal Title IX investigation that was launched over allegations of administrators forcing middle school girls to change in the same locker room as a transgender student.
The district provided a statement to Fox News Digital insisting that its actions were rooted in Illinois state law.
“Deerfield Public Schools District 109 complies with state law. The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits all public school districts from discriminating on the basis of sex, including gender identity, and mandates that students must be permitted access to the locker room and bathroom that aligns with their gender identity,” the statement read.
“We are sensitive to the privacy needs of all of our middle school students and ensure that no student is required to change into a gym uniform for physical education class in front of others. When both our middle schools were renovated in 2017, we added five private changing stations within each locker room that are available to all students. All students also have multiple options to change in a private location separate from the locker room if they wish.”
The district also says it will work with local families to determine next steps.
“The District and the Board are united with our leaders and educators on this issue and have a shared commitment to upholding the law,” the statement continued.
“The District and the Board call upon all of those expressing concerns or perspectives on this issue with our staff and educators to do so in a respectful and civil manner. We are glad to work with families to address any individual concerns and determine appropriate next steps to support your child’s well-being and participation.”
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights announced on Thursday that it is launching an investigation into the Illinois Department of Education, the Chicago Public School District 299 and Deerfield Public Schools District 109 over reported Title IX violations.
Read more here.
Related: “WATCH: Transgender school locker room policy puts Illinois in the national spotlight,” “What Dems Have Done to Deerfield girl—and the rest of Illinois—is Just Plain AWFL,” “Opinion: This Is Criminal, Exploitive Behavior Coming Out of School Dist. 109 Deerfield,” “Deerfield middle school administrators force teen girls to change in front of boy in school locker room”
So now we’re forcing kids into awkward, controversial situations under the banner of “progress,” while pretending five privacy stalls make it all okay? Maybe it’s time we just drop biology class altogether and let the district write their own ever-shifting version of science. After all, facts seem to be optional these days. And while they play ideological hopscotch, let’s remind them who funds these taxpayer pet projects. The same folks preaching “respectful dialogue” and “inclusivity” are often the first to shut down any real transparency or dissent. Same script, different woke district. Time to cut through the slogans and demand some real accountability—for all students.