Watertown Unified School District
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Published – November 22, 2024
Watertown Unified School District (WUSD) implemented a policy that bans biological males and females from invading private spaces of the opposite sex. In a final decision of 8 to 1, WUSD board members adopted guidelines that effectively prioritize parental rights and student safety on school grounds.
Fox 6 explains, “Members approved what it describes as plan ‘C’ which considers ‘biological sex’ in bathroom assignments. Plan ‘C’ means students can only use bathrooms and locker rooms based on their sex assigned at birth. The same goes for sports.”
Fox continues, “The school board also considered another plan, ‘A,’ where the school would leave things as is, meaning students would be able to use bathrooms, locker rooms, and play sports with the gender they identify with.”
The source also pointed out that teachers and staff members are no longer required to use any student’s “preferred” names or pronouns. The district will continue to offer a support plan for the less than 1% of students who identify as “transgender.”
The following screenshot is sourced from the “Gender Support Plans” policy.
WUSD Superintendent Jarred Burke was quoted as saying:
“This is a big change culturally for our whole district. We’re going to do everything we can to keep them safe. All of our students. Whether that’s a support plan that addresses just pronoun usage or if it addresses restrooms or sports or whatever, they have to have a meeting with our transgender support team.”
While WUSD’s policy appears to go against the Biden Administration’s regulations, WUSD’s decision is aligned with the lawful Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The original Title IX legislation remains in effect unless the U.S. Congress amends the 52-year-old law or the Supreme Court issues a landmark ruling redefining “sex” to include “gender identity.”
The School Board Watchlist considers it “good news” when school boards/districts enact policies to increase the safety and well-being of its student population.
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Watertown Unified School District has 3,202 students enrolled in Pre-K through 12 across 10 schools.
