Student and parent speakers urge changes to OPS gender-identity restroom and locker-room guidance

Two public commenters told the Omaha Public Schools Board April 7 they want the district to revise its gender-identity equity guidelines that allow students to use restrooms and locker rooms consistent with their asserted gender identity.

Michaella Kazor said she supports students but asked the board to protect female students' privacy and safety. She quoted district guidelines that allow "students shall have access to the restroom that corresponds to the student's gender identity consistently asserted in the school environment," and noted the policy also encourages providing single-stall alternatives "if a student has a need or desire for increased privacy." She said providing single-stall options as discretionary rather than required leaves female students exposed.

Kazor also cited district language about locker-room access being handled on a "case by case basis" with the goals of social integration, safety and minimizing stigmatization. She said the guidance can leave female students vulnerable, and she cited a 2021 incident in Loudoun County, Virginia, as an example of alleged harm under a similar policy.

The speakers asked the board to revise the guidance to prioritize privacy and safety for female students while accommodating transgender students through specific, required alternatives.

Board response and next steps: the board did not act on policy at the meeting. Public-comment policy notes that the board does not respond to speakers during the public-comment period; district staff said policy review requests will be handled through the board's established process.

Direct quotes from the meeting are from the public speakers and the district policy language the speaker read publicly.