Students and parents within the Peoria Unified School District are banding together to show for their concern over a recent PUSD school board vote that allows transgender students to use their preferred bathroom.
As one of the state’s largest school district, having no district bathroom rule in place, the Peoria Unified School District board was forced to place the issue on their agenda for discussion. The governing board of the Peoria Unified School District voted 3-2 not to draft a transgender bathroom policy for their schools, meaning transgender students can use the bathroom of their preference.
The Board’s vote impacts 44 schools and approximately 35,329 students. The school board had the opportunity to take a stance on drafting a formal policy that limits the use of bathrooms and locker rooms based on biological sex, and chose not to, meaning nothing will change for now.
Supporters say transgender students should not be barred from the bathrooms or locker rooms of their choice, while parents and students on the opposite side of the issue feel it opens the door to safety and privacy concerns.
Community members attending the last board meeting assumed it was only supposed to be a discussion for board members to receive input and have additional meetings in the future. However, the board moved quickly and made the decision to vote.
Students at Liberty High School, one of the districts largest schools, were told if they do not feel comfortable sharing the bathroom with transgender students, they are welcomed to use the nurse’s bathroom. As a result, last week, students at Liberty High School conducted somewhat of a silent protest and formed a long line of students requesting the use of the school nurse’s bathroom.
Tonight, the Peoria City Council will hold their regularly scheduled meeting and parents have been circling details, asking those concerned to come out and attend the city council meeting in hopes the city council will take action and use city codes related to bathroom usage in resolving the PUSD bathroom problem without the school board.
If you plan to attend and wish to address the council, it is recommended that you arrive early to fill out Speaker Request Form.
Peoria City Council Meeting
Tuesday, May 16 2023
6:00 p.m.
City Council Chamber
8401 W. Monroe Street, Peoria