MCPS Has No Set Guidelines For Transgender Bathroom or Locker Room Issues – Will Work With Each Individual

With the end of diversity week on the Missoula public high school campuses, KGVO News reached out to MCPS Superintendent Mark Thane to inquire about transgender issues on the school's campuses.

Thane said there are no set guidelines on dealing with a student who may desire to use a different bathroom or locker room due to a gender questioning issue.

"That student or staff member expressing that discomfort should seek an alternative, and we would be willing to have a conversation with them to help facilitate a discussion about restroom alternatives," Thane said. "As a public entity, we are going to avoid discrimination against anyone, but we recognize that there are some private matters that might arise in the life of a student or potentially a staff member, and we would want to work on an individual basis with them to work through whatever attendant issues there might be."

Thane said the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance passed by the City of Missoula has no effect on the school system.

"Actually, we have an equal education, non-discrimination and sex equity policy already on the books," he said. "Quite honestly, the city ordinance does not impact the school district and we still have to set our own policies and procedures."

Thane said he was unaware of any student or parent voicing a problem or question about the issue as yet.

"I suspect that that has happened in some of the schools, but none has spoken directly to me," he continued. "Again, any accommodations would be made on a case-by-case basis."

In a related story release by the Associated Press, transgender Olympic gold medalist Caitlyn (Bruce) Jenner called on the governor of South Dakota to veto a bill that would require transgender schoolchildren to use bathrooms that correspond with their sex at birth.