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Board delegates authority to building administrators for separate restroom plans under North Dakota law
Summary
The Grand Forks school board approved a resolution delegating to school principals the authority to create restroom accommodation plans for transgender students under North Dakota Century Code 15.1‑06‑21; the delegation is indefinite and board members asked for consistent building‑to‑building communication and procedures.
The Grand Forks Public School District board voted to delegate to building‑level administrators the authority to establish separate restroom accommodation plans for transgender students under North Dakota Century Code 15.1‑06‑21.
Laura Kopp, district legal counsel, told the board the 2023 legislative update requires a plan for a separate restroom accommodation for a transgender student and recommended that principals, rather than the full board, approve individual plans to avoid frequent special‑meeting or executive‑session requests.
Kopp said the resolution delegates the authority indefinitely until the board revokes it. Board members asked how principals would be informed and how the district would ensure consistent practices between buildings. Dr. Glatch and other administrators said existing practices already include consultation among building staff and district administrators when a family requests an accommodation; those transition‑plan meetings and counselor consultations would continue under the delegated approach.
Board members raised questions about non‑principal‑run locations such as the CIA and MSCC and about whether every building has a suitable facility that could be designated. Administrators said most buildings have at least one option — sometimes a staff‑only restroom modified for joint use — and said the principal of record for a student’s assigned home school would be the default decision‑maker for accommodations.
A roll‑call vote recorded eight yes votes, zero no votes, one abstention and one absence; the resolution passed.
Kopp told trustees the delegation can be modified later if state law changes; several members noted there are active bills addressing related issues in the state legislature.
Board members asked administration to ensure consistent procedures and communication to families and principals so accommodations follow the student across buildings and programs.
