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Winthrop School Board debates transgender student policy and sets June deadline for a revised policy
Summary
After hours of public comment and administrator testimony, the Winthrop School Board voted to continue drafting changes to its transgender student guidelines and asked for a policy draft by June 3; earlier attempts to postpone action until the November election failed.
The Winthrop School Board spent much of its April meeting hearing public comment, superintendent and administrator reports, and debating a March 4 directive that instructed the superintendent to revise district policies related to transgender students.
The board ultimately directed its policy committee to draft a revised policy and asked that a proposed policy be ready for board consideration by June 3 to allow two policy‑committee meetings for review. A separate motion to postpone any policy changes until after the November election failed.
Why it matters: speakers on both sides told the board the decision could shape student safety, competitive opportunities in school sports and the district’s legal exposure. Multiple residents and students told the board a hasty change could harm current students and expose the district to lawsuits; others— including student athletes—urged protecting fairness and privacy in girls’ sports.
Public testimony and administrators’ input Whitney Khan, a Winthrop parent, told the board the March 4 directive “conflicts with Maine law” and said the board had bypassed the district’s policy adoption process and the advice of legal counsel. Khan urged board members to rescind the March 4 motion and to follow the policy committee’s review process.
Several student athletes, including Sophie Schuman, read statements saying they want inclusion for classmates but also urged “protecting fairness and safety in girls sports,” arguing that physical differences affect competitive balance and privacy in locker rooms.
Administrators told the board that, at present, the district has building accommodations in place. Teresa Violet, the grade‑school principal, said the elementary school has four single‑use restrooms; the middle and high schools likewise reported multiple single‑use bathrooms and private changing areas. Joel Stonton, one of the district athletic directors, said he has not had a transgender athlete participate in high school athletics during his 12 years in the job and that the Maine Principals Association (MPA) has had very few such cases statewide.
Legal and procedural framing Board members said they had convened two attorneys in an executive session and were told the district faces conflicting legal obligations—principally the Maine Human Rights Act and federal Title IX—creating a legally complex situation. One board member summarized the briefing as saying the district is in an “impossible situation.”
Board action A motion to postpone policy changes until after the November election (proponents said the election could clarify the legal landscape) failed. Separately, the board approved a motion—amended in discussion—to direct the policy committee to continue work and return a draft for board review by June 3.
What remains unresolved Board members and community speakers disagreed over the core question of whether drafting narrower eligibility rules would safeguard girls’ athletics or unlawfully discriminate against transgender students. Several residents raised concerns about litigation risk and budget impacts; others warned that waiting risks leaving students’ questions unresolved.
Next steps The board asked the policy committee to draft a policy consistent with the points raised and to present the draft at the June 3 board meeting for full review. Administrators said they will continue to use existing building accommodations in the meantime.
Quotes “I want to remind the board of their code of ethics that states that board members will recognize at all times that the school committee is an agent of the state,” said Whitney Khan.
“We currently do not have any issues,” said one principal describing accommodations and private changing options in school facilities.
“The attorneys told us we are in an impossible situation,” a board member said during debate, summarizing legal counsel’s view that state and federal requirements can conflict.
Ending The board concluded debate by setting a schedule for further policy work and asked legal counsel, administrators and the policy committee to provide the material needed for drafting. The board did not repeal or change existing policies at the meeting.
