The Kansas State Board of Education has decided to ignore the Obama administration's directive to all public schools to allow transgenders to use facilities, including restrooms, and join programmes that are consistent with their gender identity.
In response to U.S. Department of Education's "Dear Colleague" letter dated May 13, 2016—which calls for compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 that prohibits sex discrimination—the Kansas state education board agreed to leave the decision on the matter to the local school districts.
"The Kansas State Board of Education believes that every child has the right to a high quality education delivered within a safe, inclusive and supportive school system," the board said in a statement.
It said schools in Kansas "have been addressing transgender student needs with sensitivity and success for many years."
"Just as every child is unique, so too is every school community. With that understanding, we are firm in our belief that decisions about the care, safety and well-being of all students are best made by the local school district based on the needs and desires of the students, parents and communities they serve," the board said.
The board said the directive from the Departments of Education and Justice about "the treatment of transgender students removes the local control needed to effectively address this sensitive issue."
"We must continue to provide our schools the flexibility needed to work with their students, families and communities to effectively address the needs of the students they serve," it added.
The board voted 10-0 to adopt its official position on the matter.
Under the Department of Education letter, public schools across the U.S. have been directed to allow transgender students to use facilities based on their gender identity like restrooms and locker rooms, and housing and overnight accommodations. The letter also asks public school authorities to allow transgender students to join athletics and single-sex classes based on their gender identity.
"As a condition of receiving Federal funds, a school agrees that it will not exclude, separate, deny benefits to, or otherwise treat differently on the basis of sex any person in its educational programs or activities unless expressly authorized to do so under Title IX or its implementing regulations," the letter stated.
