Delaware Valley board hears pleas to keep Office for Civil Rights protections as member says he will move to void agreement

Delaware Valley School District board members heard extended public comment Tuesday evening urging them to keep protections established in a 2015 Office for Civil Rights resolution as a board member read a draft motion to void that agreement.

Student speakers, local residents and nonprofit advocates told the board the OCR-related protections are essential to the safety and well-being of LGBTQ students. Taylor James, executive director of Triversity Pride Center, told the board: “Those 3 students would want to know why you hate them.” Alexander Latavore, who identified himself as a transgender man, said, “your silence right now in the face of discrimination is absolutely deafening.”

The comments followed remarks from Director Jack Fisher, who said he will introduce a motion next week that would declare the district—s OCR resolution agreement (case O3141056, dated 10/22/2015) null and void and direct the superintendent to implement policies limiting female restrooms, locker rooms and similar facilities to females. Fisher read part of that motion aloud, saying in part: “it is my position ... that female bathrooms, locker rooms, and other facilities only be used by females.” He framed the change as a response to a presidential executive order dated 01/29/2025 referenced in his statement.

Why it matters: commenters said removing OCR protections would remove explicit assurances for students subject to harassment or discrimination, while supporters of pulling out of the agreement argued the board must protect privacy and safety for female students and weigh possible federal funding consequences. Several speakers also pressed for clear information about the legal risks and the potential budget impact if federal funding were withdrawn.

Details of the board discussion and next steps

Board President Christine Agron (Board director) and other directors said the district will not take immediate formal action this meeting. Agron outlined a timeline for additional public review and legal analysis: the board scheduled a public discussion on April 10 to answer community questions and said it will request further legal advice from the district—s counsel and outside advisors before any final vote. A second, more formal presentation to the board was set for the May 15 public meeting to provide guidance on federal and state implications.

Several board members reiterated that existing anti-bullying and nondiscrimination policies remain in effect. Agron told speakers the district—s mental-health and student-support programs are separate from the OCR agreement and would continue if the agreement status changed.

What speakers said

- Olivia Van Tassel, a senior and student journalist, described efforts to report on public remarks about the district—s OCR agreement. - Taylor James, executive director of Triversity Pride Center, said the center had been approached by three students who were afraid and sought help; he asked the board to "protect these common sense policies." - Patricia McGee, a Delaware Valley alum and resident, recounted witnessing bullying of a transgender student and urged the board to maintain protections. - Several residents urged prompt legal review and warned of potential federal-funding consequences if the district were to withdraw from the OCR agreement.

Discussion vs. action

Discussion: The evening included extended public comment and an exchange among board members about legal risk, community safety and parental rights. Multiple speakers described personal experiences and cited studies and advocacy materials.

Direction: Board leaders directed administration to arrange a public information session on April 10 and a follow-up presentation on May 15 and to obtain legal guidance from the district solicitor and outside counsel before taking any formal vote.

Formal action: No formal vote was taken at the work session. Fisher said he would introduce a motion next week; the board did not vote on that motion during this meeting.

What remains unresolved

The board has not acted to rescind or alter the OCR resolution agreement; no binding policy change was made. Board members acknowledged uncertainty about the federal policy environment and said they will not move forward without legal counsel—s guidance.

Ending

Board members asked administration to return with legal options and to structure the April 10 meeting so community members could ask questions without heated confrontation. The board—s next public session on the topic is scheduled as a discussion on April 10, with a formal follow-up planned for May 15.