Pennsylvania school district adds windows to gender-inclusive restrooms
Controversy Surrounds Construction of Gender Inclusive Bathrooms at Markle Middle School
A recent photo of the ongoing construction at Markle Middle School in Hanover, Pennsylvania, has sparked controversy among Southwestern School District parents. The renovations aim to create gender-inclusive bathrooms, but some parents are raising concerns about privacy, safety, and the potential impact on students.
Concerns over Viewing Window
One of the parents, Jennifer Hollahan, expressed her concerns after her son told her about the renovations. The changes appear to have created a viewing window into the restroom sinks, which Hollahan believes raises a number of concerns. "It just raised a ton of concerns for me – privacy concerns, safety concerns, concerns for the kids who need those facilities," she said. Hollahan feels that the construction is a way to single out students who need gender-inclusive facilities, and that it may deter them from using the bathrooms.
School Board’s Response
The school board’s president, Matthew Galaza, has responded to the concerns, stating that the district’s interest is in opening a view into the non-private area of the facilities, similar to what exists in their elementary schools. By making the area outside of stalls more viewable, the district can monitor for prohibited activities such as vaping, drug use, bullying, or absenteeism. According to Galaza, the current policy states that facilities used based on gender identity, where individuals may be in a state of undress in the presence of others, must provide private changing areas. However, multi-user restrooms are not considered private changing areas under this policy.
Parent’s Concerns about Political Agenda
Hollahan believes that the construction is part of a school board political agenda, and that windows are not the solution to the perceived issue. She suggests that if there was a real issue with supervision in the bathrooms, it would not be limited to gender-inclusive restrooms.
Monitoring and Supervision
Galaza’s statement acknowledges the need for supervision in middle school and high school bathrooms, particularly in a state of undress. Hollahan understands the importance of supervision, but disagrees with the method chosen. She believes that if there was a real issue, it would not be limited to gender-inclusive restrooms.
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