Broward County Superintendent of Schools, Robert Runcie has reacted to a recent decision of the US Department of Justice and the US Department of Education. On Wednesday, the two federal departments reversed a decision made in May, 2016 by the Obama administration to provide bathroom privileges to transgender students based on the gender they recognize.
The Obama administration decision followed a law passed by South Carolina to have transgenders use bathroom in keeping with their birth gender in public places, including schools. The May, 2016 federal decision was strong opposed by Conservative Americans.
In a statement reacting to the reversal of the Obama Administration’s decision, Runcie said, “As a community, among the most important things we can do is to provide a high-quality education for all students in safe and secure learning environments. Broward County Public Schools respects and supports the needs of all of our diverse students.”
The head of the Broward public school system said that as a District, Broward has a moral obligation and responsibility to protect students from discrimination, bullying and harassment. “Prior to the federal guidance provided in May 2016, BCPS had guidelines in place to support transgender students. Therefore, the announcement by the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Education will not have an impact on the operation of our schools. There will be no change to the District’s existing non-discrimination policy, which is as follows:
The School Board of Broward County, Florida, prohibits any policy or procedure which results in discrimination on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, marital status, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation.”
Runcie made it clear that long before the federal guidance was issued in May 2016, Broward schools had, and continue to have gender neutral bathrooms available for all students.
He said, “Our administrators, teachers and staff want our students to feel safe and accepted in their school communities. BCPS provides resources and guidance to our schools on a regular basis. This include, “providing professional development on meeting the needs of our diverse students; providing the District’s Transgender Support Guide to our schools, which outlines our roles and responsibilities; instituting and supporting awareness campaigns; and Creating community partnerships.
Runcie reiterated the Coty School District will continue to respect, value and support the varying needs of its diverse students, “and we will continue to provide all students with the resources to succeed in their education and beyond.”
