Title IX FAQ

We will be continuing to add FAQs. 

Q: Why was this not communicated to parents first?

A: The first communication, sent to students and copied to parents, was in response to a posting on social media that indicated our restrooms were open to anyone at anytime. This post had been shared multiple times and questions about it had begun to surface. The intent was to clarify to the students that they are not allowed to use any restroom at anytime, and also address the issue of transgender student rights. The parent communication, sent the next day, was to provide the details of the issue and the legal references for the response to the student’s request to use the restroom of their identity.

Q: Why were the stall doors in the restrooms removed? 

A: Student restrooms in all buildings have always had stall doors.   The entry doors from the hallway were removed many years ago due to a variety of reasons i.e vandalism, vaping, inappropriate conduct in restrooms, to help with supervision. The privacy of  students is and will continue to be a priority.

Q: What is the school doing to keep students safe in the restroom?

A: Wickenburg High School has limited the number of multi-user restrooms, and provided an additional staff member to monitor the entrances to the restrooms in the main academic building. Additionally, two single-user staff restrooms have been made available to students. 

Q: Why is Title IX cited as the source for this decision?

A: Title IX is a Federal Law that was enacted by Congress in 1972. Its purpose is to provide equality in education for all students. Title IX prohibits schools from excluding, separating, denying benefits to, or otherwise treating differently on the basis of sex any person in the school’s educational program or activities unless expressly authorized by statute. Title IX includes and prohibits discrimination based on gender identity. Therefore, schools must treat a transgender student consistent with their gender identity once it is notified by the student and/or parents/guardians that this student will assert a gender identity that is different from that assigned at the student’s birth. Federal guidance on the transgender restroom issue has gone back and forth over the years, but the prevailing and current guidance is that public schools must allow transgender students to use the restroom of the gender to which they identify.