Locust Valley Schools To Reverse Transgender Bathroom Policy

LOCUST VALLEY, NY — The Locust Valley school district said in a letter that they are temporarily reversing the bathroom policy from October that mandated students use bathrooms that aligned with their biological sex.

The Locust Valley Central School District Board of Education said the commissioner of the New York State Education Department intervened, prohibiting the enforcement of the Title IX resolution that was adopted on Oct. 15.

The district was the second on Long Island to adopt this policy that prohibited transgender students from using bathrooms and locker rooms that aligned with their gender identity, and instead with their biological sex. There were gender-neutral options available.

The Oct. 15 policy aligned with the federal interpretation of Title IX, but the district will now follow the Commissioner's interpretation of state law, the district said.

"The district continues to navigate a complex and evolving legal landscape shaped by federal and state mandates," the district said in a letter. "We also remain committed to protecting the rights of all students in our district as well as preserving the state and federal funding that sustains our high-quality educational programs."

The letter continued to state that they are: "...pursuing further legal counsel to ensure our actions remain consistent with the rule of law and in full compliance with all applicable regulations while upholding the integrity of our district’s mission and values."

The district stated that their gender-neutral bathrooms and gender-neutral locker room will remain open and accessible to all students.