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Residents urge board to protect transgender students during public comment
Summary
Two community speakers praised the district’s policy allowing students to use bathrooms aligned with their gender and asked the board to safeguard vulnerable students after instances of sign theft and anti‑trans materials.
Two community members used the April 9 public comment period to urge the North Allegheny School District board to continue and defend the district policy that allows students to use bathrooms that align with their gender identity.
Sharon Bonavoglia, a retired teacher who said she lives on Stuyvesant Road, told trustees she supports the district’s policy and described repeated thefts of yard signs supporting transgender students and the appearance of unsolicited religious material aimed at LGBTQ+ people. Bonavoglia said the district’s approach — including offering alternatives such as access to the nurse’s bathroom when requested — helps protect vulnerable students and called for continued kindness and community support.
Melinda Whitey, who identified herself as Bonavoglia’s neighbor and a sign‑holder, also spoke in favor of safety and dignity for transgender students and warned against extremist rhetoric that targets transgender people for political gain. Both speakers asked the board to continue measures that keep students safe physically and emotionally.
The board did not take immediate action during the meeting; the comments were part of the public comment period and not linked to any specific board vote recorded on the agenda that evening.
