Middle School Restroom Design Prompts Renewed Debate on Transgender Law in Kentucky

Kentucky lawmakers reignited a fierce debate over a controversial restroom design at a new middle school, questioning whether the plan deliberately sidesteps the state’s anti-transgender law. The showdown in Frankfort brought Superintendent Demetrius Liggins to the forefront, defending the design as a necessary measure to curb rising incidents of bullying and vandalism.

Lawmakers Question New Restroom Design

Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent Demetrius Liggins faced sharp questioning from Republican state lawmakers on Tuesday regarding the restroom design in a new middle school. They suggested the district might be attempting to sidestep the anti-transgender law enacted by the GOP-led legislature last year.

Restroom Design for Safety, Not Politics

Superintendent Liggins clarified to the Interim Joint Committee on Education that the restroom design at Mary E. Britton Middle School aims to enhance student safety. He emphasized that the design decisions are unrelated to Senate Bill 150, which restricts medical care for transgender minors.

Concerns Over Law Compliance

Representative Candy Massaroni questioned if the restroom design was an effort to bypass the 2023 law banning students from using facilities reserved for a different biological sex. The nearly hour-long discussion indicated a renewed focus among Republican lawmakers on this issue.

Criticism of Restroom Design

Representative Matt Lockett criticized the so-called gender-neutral restroom design presented to the committee. He argued it was an attempt to circumvent the 2023 law’s requirements.

Design Features Highlighted

The restroom design includes private stalls with floor-to-ceiling doors and a communal sink area visible from the hallway. Liggins noted that boys and girls would still be segregated into separate restroom areas under the new plan.

Emphasis on Supervision

Liggins mentioned that better supervision of restrooms was a key concern, as highlighted by the district’s advisory council on safety. Parents and other stakeholders participated in the design process, and there were no major objections raised.

Addressing Vandalism and Misconduct

The superintendent pointed out that a 2021 TikTok trend led to significant vandalism in school restrooms, particularly among boys, costing the district over $42,000 in repairs. The district is also addressing concerns related to vaping and electronic cigarette use in restrooms.

Spike in Behavioral Issues

According to the Kentucky 2022-23 School Safety Report, behavior incidents in school bathrooms have surged, with over 15,000 incidents reported in the last school year. This is a significant increase from the 4,980 incidents reported in the 2018-19 school year.

Restroom Closures at Henry Clay High School

Henry Clay High School recently implemented a policy to close restrooms during class transitions unless a medical need is demonstrated. This measure reflects broader efforts to maintain order and safety.

Legislative Proposals in Response

Representative Lockett has drafted a bill requiring Kentucky public schools with more than 100 students to designate 90% of restrooms for one gender. The General Assembly will consider this and other proposals when it reconvenes in January.

Advocating for School Safety

Lockett underscored the importance of safe learning environments, free from social experimentation. He stressed that students should not fear harassment or bullying in school and urged the district to ensure its public schools meet these standards.

Clarification on Restroom Design

After the meeting, a Fayette County Public Schools spokesperson clarified that the Britton Middle School restroom design is not gender-neutral. The stalls are arranged in pods, with signage indicating whether the pod is for boys or girls.

Constituents Unaffected by Middle School Design

Fayette County Public Schools spokesperson Dia Davidson-Smith pointed out that Representative Matt Lockett’s district does not include the new middle school. As a result, none of his constituents were contacted for input on the restroom design.

Citizen Voices Opposition to Restroom Plan

Eunice Montfort, a concerned citizen from Frankfort, spoke out against the idea of gender-neutral bathrooms during the committee meeting. Drawing from her experience in healthcare administration and construction, she labeled the concept as “a terrible idea.”

Lockett’s Hypothetical Raises Concerns

Representative Lockett presented a scenario to illustrate potential discomfort for students using gender-neutral restrooms. He described a situation where a sixth-grade girl feels embarrassed and uncomfortable after using a stall previously occupied by a male classmate.

Educator’s Perspective Supports Design

In contrast, Representative Tina Bojanowski, an elementary school teacher from Louisville, praised the new restroom design for its emphasis on supervision. She highlighted the challenges teachers face in monitoring students in traditional restroom setups and expressed approval of the enhanced visibility and control the new design offers.

Dispute Over Meeting Time Cutoff

Tension arose when Representative Josie Raymond questioned the need to cut off further discussion and rush the committee meeting to move to the next agenda items. Chairman James Tipton cited time constraints, while Raymond, undeterred, expressed willingness to extend the session.

Exchange Highlights Legislative Frustrations

The exchange between Raymond and Tipton underscored frustrations over time management within the committee. Raymond, who has served six years in the legislature, questioned the urgency and offered to continue the discussion, but Tipton insisted on adhering to the meeting’s schedule.