Shelby school board considers restroom changes for transgender students
SHELBY - The Shelby City Schools Board of Education is considering retrofitting the high school restrooms to make them more private, Superintendent Tim Tarvin said.
Tarvin called the News Journal with the update following an executive session at the end of Monday's school board meeting.
The move is in response to complaints from residents about some transgender students using the girls restrooms.
Tarvin also pointed out there are three private restrooms at the high school that are open to any student.
More than 50 people attended Monday's meeting. It was the third consecutive month in which the topic has dominated the agenda.
Unlike the past two meetings, there were people who spoke in support of the board and transgender students. Five of the 12 speakers were in that category.
Board President Lorie White previously said the restroom issue "is bigger than just this board." She set some ground rules before the public comments, telling the crowd that part of the meeting would be limited to 30 minutes and asking people to hold their comments to three minutes each.
"Three minutes can get away from you pretty quickly," she said.
Board Vice President Randy Broderick kept a timer and told people when they had 30 seconds left. Three people had their mic shut off for going over the limit.
Shelby police Sgt. Aaron Bushey was in attendance, but there were no issues.
Pastor calls for board members to resign and superintendent to retire
During the comments, a local pastor called for Tarvin to retire immediately.
Doug Tackett, pastor at Taylortown Community Church, was one of the residents who addressed the board in the ongoing controversy.
Tackett also called for the five board members to resign if they didn't change the policy that allows transgender students to use the restroom that corresponds to their gender identity.
"We are very disappointed in your stance on this matter," Tackett said. "We believe your policy threatens the safety of students.
"Reverse your course of action. You, the school board, have made this a political issue."
Tackett said those who don't agree with the policy could show their displeasure at the polls by not supporting tax levies.
"As a Christian community, we do have a voice, and we do have other courses we can and will take," he said. "You need to hear our voice, and you need to act now."
Tarvin did not answer Tackett immediately since the public comment portion is not for discussion. The superintendent did, however, make his feelings known during his report. He previously announced he would retire at the end of this school year.
"I appreciate our board's attention to our students — all of our students," Tarvin said with a hint of indignation. "I'm not resigning. I have every intention of finishing the school year."
Brad Gentille, pastor of First Baptist Church, said he was there representing his congregation. He referenced the December board meeting.
"Quite frankly, it was felt that the school board dismissed what was said," Gentille said.
The pastor said God made people in his image.
"He wonderfully and intentionally made us this way," Gentille said.
There were several pastors who addressed the board. Pastor James Robinson of First Presbyterian Church said most of them "have a much bigger agenda than what they are presenting at these meetings."
He questioned if the pastors who don't support transgender students will next go after Muslim and Black students.
"When and where do we stifle this hateful rhetoric?" Robinson asked.
Kevin Evans, pastor at Liberty Lifesong's Ministries in Ganges, did not take kindly to Robinson's comments.
"Unlike James, I'm not going to make unfounded innuendos against pastors and people," Evans said.
At the same time, he called the board's policy "asinine."
"Do the rights of boys who identify as girls trump the rights of girls who are born girls? I think not," Evans said.
Pastor praises board for doing 'what is right'
Garland Harvey Jr., pastor of First United Methodist Church, commended the board members, saying they are doing what is right instead of what is easy.
"It's easy to step on a bunch of marginalized children," Harvey said. "By taking this stand, you've made yourself a target in this community. I gladly join you as one of those targeted people."
One man suggested transgender students are dealing with gender dysphoria.
"The vast majority of us would be in favor to treat the children and get them the help that they need," he said.
Mansfield attorney Kristin Brown was the last speaker.
"I listened to the vitriol and hate," she said. "Let's call it what it is — discrimination. You can wrap it in a Bible, but that's not the God I know.
"I'm really shocked that in 2023, people are still this ignorant."
Brown questioned the call for "separate but equal" restrooms.
"Where have I heard that before?" she asked.
Brown also reminded the crowd the Constitution calls for a separation of church and state.
White re-elected board president
In the organizational part of the meeting, members unanimously re-elected White as board president.
Now in her 16th year, she is the dean of the board. She is starting her ninth year as president.
White said 2023 would be "an important year."
"Mr. Tarvin's going to retire. That's going to be the big thing," she said. "Who's going to lead the district? To me, that's going to be our No. 1 priority."
Broderick was unanimously reelected vice president.
Tarvin recognizes late sports editor
Prior to the board accepting donations, Tarvin publicly recognized Chuck Ridenour, longtime sports editor for the Shelby Daily Globe and brother of school board member Carl Ridenour.
Chuck Ridenour passed away late last month at the age of 61. Tarvin called him the "legend of Shelby."
"We appreciate everything that Chuck did for our school district and our kids," the superintendent said.
The board accepted several donations for the Whippet Athletic Complex, including $30,000 from Milliron Auto Parts, $10,000 from Kelsin Construction and $5,000 from Shelby Mutual Insurance Agency.
mcaudill@gannett.com
419-521-7219
Twitter: @MNJCaudill
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Shelby City Schools considering making bathrooms more private
