Transgender Bathroom Policy Is 'Human, Civil Rights Issue': Chatham Schools Chief

CHATHAM, N.J. – The Department of Education and Department of Justice dispersed letters to local school districts across the country Friday, providing guidelines on how transgender students should be accommodated.

In Chatham, however, a school board-board approved policy on the topic was passed in April 2015, clarifying the district’s stance on the issue, and providing all students with “safe and welcoming environments,” according to Superintendent Michael LaSusa.

“Our school district strives to provide all of our students with safe and welcoming environments, and we make accommodations for our transgender students based on their needs,” LaSusa told Patch Friday. “In my opinion, this is a civil and human rights issue, and therefore I believe it is appropriate for the federal and state governments to provide guidance to us on how to meet the needs of these students.”

The letters come as several states have passed so-called "bathroom laws," some limiting and others opening up bathroom usage for individuals based on their birth sex or gender identity. In the most high-profile case, North Carolina and the Department of Justice have filed lawsuits against each other over the state's law that restricts bathroom and locker-room usage for transgender people.

The federal government's message on Friday was clear: Transgender students must be given equal rights.

"No student should ever have to go through the experience of feeling unwelcome at school or on a college campus,” U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. said in a statement.

For a full breakdown of the letter to school districts and what they mean, check Patch’s story here.

Marc Torrence contributed to this report.