Watertown School District Approves Transgender Policy

The Watertown Unified School District approved a controversial 'Gender Support Plan' that imposes more restrictive policies on transgender students, requiring them to use restrooms and locker rooms according to their sex assigned at birth and participate in sports consistent with that classification. The decision, made during a packed board meeting with around 500 attendees, sparked passionate responses from community members, with some supporting the changes and others expressing concern about their impact on students' safety and identity. The new policy mandates parental notification and consent for students to use different pronouns or names, a significant shift from the previous policy that allowed students to self-identify without parental involvement. Board President David Schroeder emphasized the need to protect the district and its students, while opponents argued the policy could harm vulnerable students. Supporters of the new plan, including the conservative group Moms for Liberty, hailed it as a return to traditional values, whereas critics contended it undermines the safety and rights of transgender students.