Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares announced they will launch an investigation into Loudoun County Public Schools for an incident that happened in a boys’ locker room.
According to a release from Youngkin and Miyares, three male students complained about the presence of another student in the boys’ locker room at Stone Bridge High School. That student, who identifies as male, differently from their biological sex, reportedly used a cell phone to record the other students in the locker room.
A news article from WJLA said that LCPS opened a Title IX investigation into the three boys who complained about the other student’s presence in the locker room.
Youngkin called these reports “deeply concerning” and said he asked Miyares to investigate the situation so that “every student’s privacy, dignity, and safety are upheld.”
“Students who express legitimate concerns about sharing locker rooms with individuals of the opposite biological sex should not be subjected to harassment or discrimination claims,” Youngkin said.
LCPS Response
Loudoun County Public Schools said in a statement that WJLA’s report contained “false and misleading information presented in a biased manner from a single source.”
“LCPS would not investigate or discipline students based on their personal opinions, thoughts, or beliefs, provided those expressions do not violate policies prohibiting hate speech, discriminatory language, threats, or other forms of harmful or disruptive conduct,” LCPS said. The school system does investigate when student behavior violates its student handbook, it continued.
LCPS said that it would not discuss the specifics of the incident publicly because the matter could result in discipline.
“We reject any characterization that implies our schools are unsafe or that we fail to protect the rights of all students. We remain steadfast in our legal and ethical obligation to uphold the rights of every student and will continue to create and nurture an environment that is welcoming and accepting for all students, so that everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and succeed,” LCPS said.
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
