CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – After the Obama administration told public schools last week that they must allow transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity, the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System (CMCSS) said it is ‘reviewing’ the directive.
A statement from CMCSS spokesperson Elise Shelton said, “The communication from the United States Departments of Education and Justice was received by District officials earlier today [May 13]. District officials are in the process of reviewing the communication and are unable to provide any details at this time.”
Shelton said a policy about bathroom use does not currently exist.
“When there is a special circumstance, parents work with the school principal to meet the needs of the student,” she said.
The letter does not impose any new legal requirements, but federal officials say the guidance is meant to clarify school districts’ obligations to provide students with nondiscriminatory environments.
The Associated Press reports that Governor Haslam said in a statement Monday that he disagrees with what he called a “heavy-handed approach.” The governor said such sensitive issues should be handled by local school boards – and not by the state or the federal government.
*The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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