School officials respond to federal guidelines for transgender students

By John Robinson john @ emporia . com

The federal government issued guidance on transgender students to schools on Friday .

A letter released from the Department of Education said the guidance will give educators the information they need “ to ensure all students , including transgender students , can attend school in an environment free

“ Our goal is to meet the needs of all our students ; some of whom are transgender , so that ’ s the direction that we ’ re moving .”

GWEN LARSON , ESU assistant director of media relations

from discrimination based on sex .”

The guidance cites Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 , which prohibits sex discrimination , including discrimination based on a student ’ s gender identity .

“ Title IX ’ s implementing regulations permit a school to provide sex-segregated restrooms , locker rooms , shower facilities , housing and athletic teams , as well as single-sex classes under certain circumstances ,” the guidance states . “ When a school provides sex-segregated activities and facilities , transgender students must be allowed to participate in such activities and access such facilities consistent with their gender identity .”

While not a law or executive order , “ significant guidance ” gives schools notice on how the federal government interprets the law — in this case Title IX — and implies that failure to follow the federal government ’ s interpretation could result in the loss of federal education funding .

“ A school ’ s Title IX obligation to ensure nondiscrimination on the basis of sex requires schools to provide transgender students equal access to educational programs and activities even in circumstances in which other students , parents or community members raise objections or concerns ,” the guidance states . “ As is consistently recognized in civil rights cases , the desire to accommodate others ’ discomfort cannot justify a policy that singles out and disadvantages a particular class of students .”

Andy Koenigs , associate superintendent for human resources at Emporia Public Schools , said that while no specific “ bathroom policy ” exists in the school district , Emporia Public Schools had already included gender identity in their nondiscrimination policy and he doesn ’ t see a problem following the guidance .

“ We updated board policy over the last few years and actually , already dealt with this issue last year ,” Koenigs said . “ Our board policy ’ s forbid discrimination for all students ... and that includes sexual orientation and gender identity to those protected groups .”

Koenigs said the Kansas Association of School Boards has the topic on the agenda for its June updates to help school districts create policies specifically for transgender students . He said Emporia Public Schools has not yet received a request from a transgender student , but he “ didn ’ t think it would be a problem to accommodate such requests .”

Aron Dody , superintendent for the North Lyon County school district , said he wants to give the North Lyon County Board of Edu-

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JOHN ROBINSON / GAZETTE

Left , a gender neutral restroom at Emporia State University . The federal government released guidelines on Friday to “ ensure all students , including transgender students , can attend school in an environment free from discrimination based on sex .”

By Jessie Wagoner jessie @ emporia . com

CrossWinds Counseling and Wellness has a new employee — Maddie .

Maddie saunters into Cross- Winds on four paws ready to get to work with her handler , Lauren Rickner . Maddie is a trained therapy dog that Rickner uses in her sessions with various consumers .

When Rickner entered the therapy field she had an interest in equine therapy . However , bringing a horse to work isn ’ t quite realistic . Having a therapy dog was more realistic for Rickner and easier to mainstream into the therapy process .

“ Though some people would consider Maddie to be as big as a horse ,” Rickner said .

Maddie is an Anatolian Shepherd with a beautiful white coat and soft welcoming brown eyes . Anatolian Shepherds were originally bred to be livestock guardians . However , Maddie experienced an injury as a puppy and required in-home rehabilitation . That process left her unable to work with livestock but proved it-

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COURTESY PHOTO

Maddie and Lauren Rickner provide therapy services to a number of consumers at CrossWinds Counseling and Wellness . Maddie is a trained therapy dog and attends work with Rickner a couple of times each week .

By Jessie Wagoner jessie @ emporia . com

Northbound lanes of the Kansas Turnpike were closed early Tuesday morning following a semi accident . The accident occurred shortly before 6 a . m .

It is unknown what caused the accident . Scanner traffic indicated that one individual was injured but the extent of those injuries are unknown at this time .

PHOTO COURTESY OF KTA

A FedEx truck was involved in a one-vehicle accident on the Kansas Turnpike 3 miles north of Emporia this morning . Turnpike traffic was stopped for more than an hour .

The Emporia Police Department provided assistance to the Kansas Highway Patrol in responding to the accident . Due to the road closure , traffic was congested near the roundabout access to the Emporia toll booth .

One lane of northbound traffic was allowed on the turnpike by 7:45 a . m . The accident remains under investigation and no additional details were available at press time .