Shelby school board: Residents speak out against transgender restroom policy
SHELBY — The Shelby City Schools Board of Education faced more opposition Monday night from people who don't want transgender students using the girls restrooms at the high school.
More than 30 people attended the monthly meeting, several of them speaking against the policy.
Board President Lorie White proposed 30 minutes for public comment, but that portion of the meeting lasted closer to 45 minutes.
"This issue is bigger than just this board," White told the crowd. "Your battle is not with us. It's much bigger than that."
After the meeting, Superintendent Tim Tarvin and high school Principal John Gies cited the case of Jane Doe v. Highland School District.
In that case, a young transgender girl wanted to use the girls restroom, but the school district refused to allow her to do so. Following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Education, the district was found to be violating Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
The school district filed a lawsuit against the department of education, prompting Jane's family to file a motion for preliminary injunction.
In September 2016, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit ordered Highland to treat Jane "as the girl she is" and allow her to use the girls restroom at the elementary school for the rest of the school year.
The case was settled and resolved on Feb. 22, 2018.
Pastor leads voices opposed to bathroom policy
Pastor Anthony Cooper of Shelby Life Church was the most prominent opposition speaker at Monday night's meeting.
"It's a no-win situation," he told the board. "We understand that we're not here to fight against you, but we are here to protect our children. God made two genders male and female. The other 127, I don't know where they come from.
"No young man that identifies as a young girl should be able to walk into a restroom. You have our support if you should go up against this."
Cooper said if board members would not do that, they should resign.
"You will continue to see us," the pastor said. "You will hear our voice louder and louder."
Cooper said if necessary, they would build a Christian school in Shelby.
Tarvin read a letter from Shelby City Councilman Garland Gates, whose late brother was gay. Gates said the LGBTQ community was the "most persecuted group in the United States."
Gates wrote that all his brother wanted was to be left alone.
Community member Joyce Douglas called the issue "just common sense" and urged transgender students to use their own restroom.
High school has three gender-neutral restrooms
At last month's school board meeting, Tarvin said the high school has three gender-neutral restrooms that are open to any students.
White added that most of the 10 high school students who identify as transgender are using those restrooms.
Some of those in attendance Monday were frustrated the board would not engage in a conversation on the matter. Tarvin said it was a time for public comment, not discussion. White said residents could call any of the board members.
John Montgomery is an assistant pastor at Temple of God. He also addressed the board.
"We're at the crossroads in our community, our state and our country," Montgomery said. "It's the time to seek God. If we don't get back to the morals that this country was founded on, we're asking for the time when God says enough is enough.
"It's a sin. Let's call it what it is."
Among those commenting was a female student.
"On behalf of a girl, I don't want to be scared walking into a bathroom," she said.
White said the board was following the rules.
"The legal threat is real, and we cannot ignore that," the board president told the crowd. "We want to work with your cisgender students and these transgender students."
Board member Carl Ridenour said it would be a "slippery slope" if they picked and chose which rules to follow.
Board member offers opinion on issue
Fellow board member Kim Nadolsky did share her personal feelings on the topic.
"This issue has weighed heavily on my mind," she said. "Society keeps pushing our moral boundaries more and more each day."
Nadolsky said she wished transgender students "knew how perfectly they are made." She told her fellow board members she would like to know how they feel on the matter.
In other business, the board:
Accepted a donation of $3,200 from an anonymous person for tennis bleachers and a $3,127.66 donation from the Shelby Alumni Association for calculators.
Accepted the resignation of longtime volleyball coach Brandie Albert.
Approved an incentive proposal and enterprise zone compensation agreement with Lloyd Rebar by a 4-1 margin. Board member Scott Rose voted no. The company will pay the school district $29,000 a year for 15 years in what Tarvin said was comparable to a tax abatement.
Approved an eight-year contract with Vasco Sports Contractors to maintain the turf fields for football, baseball and softball. The total cost is $62,000.
Accepted the retirement of EMIS coordinator Fran Schroeder. She has been with the district since 1998. Schroeder handled enrollment issues. Tarvin called her a "sweetheart."
mcaudill@gannett.com
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Twitter: @MNJCaudill
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Shelby school board listens to concerns about transgender students
