CHEYENNE – State Superintendent Jillian Balow released the following statement today regarding guidance from the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice on the civil rights of transgender students:
“Guidance on ensuring the civil rights of transgender students was released by the USDOE and USDOJ today which underscores the challenges of adapting to social change in schools. I don’t believe it is appropriate for federal bureaucrats to tell our education professionals how to handle these sensitive situations.
“Educators are entrusted with the safety of all children, physical and emotional, in the school setting. Many Wyoming schools have already adapted to the transgender community by providing accommodations, such as a separate bathroom, for transgender students. I expect that Wyoming education leaders will continue to carefully make decisions in the interest of all students and consider policy decisions with input from the local school board, students, and the public.
“While I appreciate the attention paid to transgender students in the federal guidance, it’s critical that we recognize, and reasonably accommodate, the uniqueness of all students.”
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Audio from Superintendent Balow
Media Contact:
Kari Eakins, Communications Director
kari.eakins@wyo.gov
307-777-2053
