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‘It’s not an easy life’: Community outraged after Spring Branch ISD revises bathroom policy

In a 6-1 vote, Spring Branch Independent School District board of trustees passed a revised bathroom policy during Monday night’s special meeting.

This comes at the same time as two elementary schools were also voted to close at the end of the school year.

RELATED: Spring Branch ISD school board votes to close 2 elementary schools, cancel charter school partnership due to budget cuts

According to the district, the policy states that schools “must maintain separate restrooms, locker rooms, and other similar facilities designated for and used only by persons based on their biological sex,” and “individuals are required to use the facility that corresponds to their gender assigned at birth.”

The policy does allow school staff to give special accommodations to students who ask -- one example would be a single-person restroom.

RELATED: ‘We’ve been waiting a long time’: Spring Branch ISD pauses school improvements due to $35M budget shortfall

Several community members who spoke out against the policy say it is an attack on the transgender community.

“Attacking the trans community has become the hot new thing that all the cool politicians are doing who want to distract from true issues,” said Megan Fairbanks.

Mandy Giles founder of Parents of Trans Youth says the policies send a clear message to Spring Branch ISD’s transgender students.

“(These policies) send a clear message that your transgender students are not safe or welcome at Spring Branch ISD,” she said. “Trans kids just are who they are and don’t transition to gain access to spaces. Because if you haven’t noticed, it’s not an easy life to be a trans kid in Texas right now.”

Superintendent Jennifer Blaine, Ed.D told the school board the district already works with students on a case-by-case to make sure they have a comfortable place to use the restroom.

It’s unclear at this time what led to the creation of the policy.

An exact date on when the revised policy will take effect is not known at this time.

RELATED: ‘We’re all upset about it’: Spring Branch ISD announces more budget cut proposals


About the Authors

A graduate of the University of Houston-Downtown, Ana moved to H-Town from sunny southern California in 2015. In 2020, she joined the KPRC 2 digital team as an intern. Ana is a self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur, a catmom of 3, and an aquarium enthusiast. In her spare time, she's an avid video gamer and loves to travel.

Bryce Newberry headshot

Bryce Newberry joined KPRC 2 in July 2022. He loves the thrill of breaking news and digging deep on a story that gets people talking.

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