School district sends out unclear statement on transgender mandate

Obama administration threatened to
pull funding if directive not followed

The message by the La Crosse School District seems unclear.

It came after reviewing a directive by President Barack Obama’s administration outlining that schools need to allow transgender students to choose the bathroom consistent with their gender identity. Superintendent Randy Nelson’s statement reads: “We have completed a cursory review of the guidance from the Department of Justice and the Department of Education. Even with this guidance, the law continues to be unsettled. We expect that the future will bring further guidance via legislation and/or court challenges. In the interim, we will continue to treat all students with the dignity and respect they deserve as human beings.” 

Request for comment from other area administrators has not been answered at this point.

The letter sent out by the Obama administration Friday threatened a loss of federal funding if schools did not allow transgender students to choose the restroom of their gender identity. 

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has said the issue should be decided at the state level. Other school districts have not commented on the letter.