Frankfort Middle School Restroom Design Sparks Debate Amid Legislative Tensions

Frankfort Confronts Design of Restrooms in New Middle School Amid Legislative Scrutiny

Frankfort, KY — Superintendent Demetrius Liggins faced tough questions from Republican lawmakers regarding the restroom design for the upcoming Mary E. Britton Middle School, igniting a heated discussion around the state’s recent anti-transgender legislation. This intense examination occurred during an Interim Joint Committee on Education meeting held on August 20, 2024, in the state capital.

Confusion Over Design Intentions

Lawmakers scrutinized Liggins over whether the restroom design was an attempt to bypass last year’s Senate Bill 150, which restricts transgender individuals from using facilities that match their gender identity. Rep. Candy Massaroni of Bardstown questioned if the restroom setup was simply a means to avoid the guidelines outlined in SB 150.

Liggins defended the design, explaining that it prioritizes student safety and aims to reduce bullying and poor behavior in restrooms, a growing concern for schools statewide. “This has nothing to do with Senate Bill 150,” Liggins stated firmly. “We can see from the data that when students are supervised, behavior incidents go down. That’s just common knowledge.”

Bathroom Design Explained

The proposed restroom features individual stalls with floor-to-ceiling doors paired with a communal sink area that is easily supervised from the hallway. Even with these features, Rep. Matt Lockett expressed strong disapproval, labeling it a gender-neutral design and an attempt to undermine the anti-trans law.

Liggins clarified that the school’s principal had decided to make adjustments to segregate boys and girls in respective restroom areas. He emphasized that the changes were necessary to facilitate adult supervision and enhance overall safety. He noted that parents and community members were involved in the design process and raised no objections during discussions regarding restroom configurations.

Growing Behavior Issues

The need for improved bathroom monitoring is underscored by alarming trends in school behavior. The most recent Kentucky School Safety Report indicated a spike in incidents, with over 15,000 reported behavior events in restrooms for the 2022-23 school year, a steep increase from 4,980 in 2018-19. Liggins highlighted that previous trends, including vandalism resulting from a popular TikTok challenge, cost the district over $42,000 in repairs.

Additionally, electronic cigarette use among students poses another challenge that schools, including Fayette County Public Schools, are striving to address, particularly in restrooms.

Legislative Calls for Action

During the meeting, Lockett proposed drafting a bill that would mandate that at least 90% of restrooms in public schools with more than 100 students shall be designated for one gender, arguing that the remaining 10% has the potential to be “all-access restrooms.” He believes it is essential to ensure that schools remain safe environments rather than “social experiments.”

Lockett presented a scenario reflecting his concerns, illustrating a sixth-grade girl feeling discomfort sharing a restroom with boys. Others in the legislature echoed his sentiments, emphasizing the importance of maintaining safe and non-embarrassing experiences for students.

Diverse Perspectives from Lawmakers

Rep. Tina Bojanowski, a Democrat and a former elementary school teacher, shared a contrasting viewpoint. She expressed her support for the new restroom design, arguing that it allows for greater supervision, thus improving student safety during restroom breaks. She stressed that in many cases, restroom incidents go unmonitored, leading to instances of bullying and disruptive behavior.

Conclusion and Future Meetings

The meeting closed with discussions about legislative proceedings when the General Assembly reconvenes in January. Further deliberations are expected, particularly as lawmakers assess school safety measures and student rights regarding restroom access.

Criticism and support for these bathroom designs will likely continue as the Fayette County Public Schools prepares to navigate the complex relationship between safety, regulation, and student welfare as the new middle school opens in 2025.