Board of Education Policy 7552 (Student Gender Identity) has been in place since June 2021.

The policy revision approved at the 8/3/22 board meeting was to update nomenclature to align with recent changes in the law regarding gender identity (reference NYS Gender Recognition Act).  The revision approved did not modify any language in regards to use/access of bathrooms/locker rooms. 

In implementation/practice at the District, when a transgender student has not felt comfortable using a bathroom/locker room consistent with their natal gender (assigned sex at birth), then the District has provided and encouraged use of a safe and adequate alternative single occupancy bathroom/changing room.  The option to use an alternative single occupancy bathroom/changing room is something that is available to ALL students, regardless of their gender identity.

In the 2021-2022 school year there have been requests by transgender students to use the alternative single occupancy bathroom/changing room option.  There have been NO requests by a transgender student to use the male/female bathrooms or locker rooms.

Per policy 7552 a transgender student may request and be allowed access to the male/female bathrooms or locker rooms that are in alignment with their gender expression.  This choice is governed by the school policy, which in turn is governed by NYS and Federal law.  If any cisgender student is uncomfortable with this situation (e.g. cisgender female does not want to share a locker room with a transgender female) then the cisgender student is afforded the same protection to a safe and adequate alternative single occupancy bathroom/changing room.

The purpose of this policy and its implementation/practice in the District is to protect ALL students and foster a safe and supportive educational environment.