Citizen Portal
Sign In

Board adopts parents' bill of rights and restrooms policy after heated debate over legal conflict

Monongalia County Board of Education · December 17, 2025
AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

The Monongalia County Board of Education voted 3‑2 to adopt a new 'parents' bill of rights' policy and, after extended debate about federal circuit precedent and state instructions, also adopted Policy 7421 on restrooms and changing facilities.

The Monongalia County Board of Education on Dec. 16 adopted two new, contested policies — a 'parents' bill of rights' and a policy on restrooms and changing facilities — after extended debate about legal conflicts and potential state consequences.

Superintendent (unnamed) recommended adoption of Policy 5780.01, described in materials as a 'parents' bill of rights.' A board member expressed concern that the policy is redundant and framed as a political statement; nonetheless the motion to adopt carried 3‑2. The transcript records two nays and three ayes but does not list a roll call of each vote in full in the same moment.

Later, the board considered new Policy 7421, 'restrooms and changing facilities.' One board member argued the policy "contradicts federal law," citing a Fourth Circuit decision and warning it could deny certain students federal protections; that speaker said there was "no Supreme Court decision on this" but that the Fourth Circuit precedent applied in the district. Another board member and district administrators responded that the state has enacted legislation requiring the policy and warned that nonadoption could trigger state‑level repercussions, including potential withholding of state funds.

An administrator told the board the district will maintain current practices and work with families and students to find the most comfortable options, while also noting the district believes it must navigate conflicting directives from state and federal authorities.

Outcome: After debate, the board adopted Policy 7421 by a 3‑2 vote. The transcript shows concerns about enforceability and the absence of implementation guidance, and at least one board member abstained on a separate earlier personnel policy vote.

What this means: The newly adopted policies change the district's formal policy book. Officials and board members flagged the tension between state law and a federal circuit decision; the transcript records the dispute and the board's decision to adopt the policies as presented.