Federal review of Dist. 211 transgender policy continues
The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights released a brief statement Tuesday morning regarding its ongoing review of a discrimination complaint filed against Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211.
The office's review of the school district's policy limiting transgender students' access to the locker rooms of the genders they identify as is not yet complete, officials said.
"The U.S. Department of Education's Officer of Civil Rights is negotiating with Township High School District 211 to resolve a Title IX investigation based on a complaint alleging that the district discriminated against a transgender high school student by denying her access to the girls' locker rooms," wrote Dorie Nolt, press secretary at the Department of Education.
"OCR's investigation revealed that the district has not allowed the student access to the girl's locker room for physical education and sports activities," the statement continues.
"Last week, OCR staff met with the district to talk about the case and a possible resolution," Nolt wrote.
"During that meeting, the district provided OCR with more information that requires further review. OCR's decision in this case will be issued after that review is complete."
District 211 officials released a statement last week acknowledging the meeting with the Office for Civil Rights staff and calling it "collaborative and productive."
District administrators say that transgender students are provided a separate changing area within the locker rooms of the gender they identify as to protect the privacy of all students.
The American Civil Liberties Union, which is representing the student who filed the complaint, argues that any example of treating its client differently from every other girl represents unlawful discrimination.