Parents and community advocates urged the District 128 Board of Education on Aug. 25 to revise the district’s gender-support guidelines, saying the existing policy puts female students at risk and may violate federal law.
In public comment, Marnie Navarro, who identified herself as “a District 128 taxpayer, lawyer, and incoming parent,” described an Aug. 29, 2024, incident at Libertyville High School in which she said an 18-year-old male entered a girls’ locker room and “began to change and observe numerous minor girls.” Navarro said some students and parents who reported the incident were told by administrators that “the girls were the problem” and that complainants were offered alternate locations instead of remedial action. She argued the district’s gender-support guidelines permit males to use girls’ restrooms and locker rooms and said the policy “remains unchanged and in flagrant violation of federal law.”
The nut graf: speakers asked the board to review how district policy interacts with federal Title IX requirements and local implementation guidance, warned of potential legal and financial consequences, and asked newly elected board members to act.
Other commenters expanded on the same concerns. A speaker listed as “Socrates” said he had requested panic buttons in female restrooms during the pandemic and described a personal “opt-out” experience that he said took “3 to 4 hours” to complete. He said his family believes “anyone pushing LGBTQ plus agenda onto minors are groomers.”
Marcia McClary, identifying herself as a chapter leader of Moms for Liberty in Lake County, Illinois, said she had spoken with hundreds of staff across the state and urged the board to change district policy to address “fairness and safety.” McClary read excerpts from the district’s gender-support plan that she said allow students access to gendered facilities “consistent with the identity of the student” and said the policy “does not say that the parents need to be notified or consulted.”
The commenters referenced federal law directly. Navarro cited “Title 9” (Title IX) and said a federal department action she described as the “Cardona decision” limited the previous administration’s guidance; she also referenced “ISBE guidance” (the Illinois State Board of Education) and urged the board to consult legal counsel. McClary also warned of litigation and urged the board to “do the right thing.”
Board response and outcome: the remarks were made during the public-comment portion of the Aug. 25 meeting; no board votes or policy changes occurred that evening. Board President Jim Batson acknowledged the comments by thanking each speaker, but the board proceeded with the published agenda and later entered a closed session on unrelated matters. The meeting record shows no formal direction, referral, or vote tied to the public comments on gender policy.
Context and clarifying details: Navarro said the district risks the loss of “our 1,700,000.0 federal funding dollars” and asked four of seven board members to “vote to protect our 1,580 girls”; those figures were stated by the speaker in public comment and are recorded here as reported, not independently verified. Speakers also referenced a “Cardona decision,” “Trump’s 01/2025 executive order,” and pending complaints in other Illinois districts; those references were made by commenters in argument and were not accompanied by board citations or formal legal analysis during the meeting.
Why it matters: public commenters framed the issue as both a student-safety concern and a potential legal exposure for the district. The board did not act that night; any change to district policy would require further review, possible legal counsel, and formal board consideration.
Ending: Board members did not discuss the merits of the policies in open session after public comment. For parents or community members seeking clarity, the district’s posted gender-support documents and the board’s future agenda packets are the formal sources for any subsequent proposals or legal analyses.