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U.S. Education Department probes bathroom use policies in Wisconsin district
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has begun an investigation into the New Richmond (Wisconsin) School District concerning reports that its policy regarding transgender students allows biological males to use female restrooms. The inquiry will look into whether the district violated Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 "by allowing students to access intimate facilities based on 'gender identity,' not biological sex," the department said in a news release.
At a January 2026, school board meeting in New Richmond, some parents expressed concern that boys were being permitted to use the girls' restroom.
In February, the school board rejected a proposed policy to have bathrooms and locker rooms separated by biological sex. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that Michael Waldspurger, the school district's lawyer, told the board that recent court decisions have ruled in favor of allowing transgender students to select a restroom or locker room based on their gender identity. He said the district could face legal action and would likely lose a lawsuit if it were to deny transgender students the right to use their preferred bathrooms.
The Trump administration's interpretation of Title IX calls for bathroom use to be determined based on biological sex and not gender identity.
“Young women should never be forced to share intimate spaces with boys and men because school leaders care more about radical gender ideology than protecting girls’ safety, dignity, and privacy,” said Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey. School board members who ignore these allegations are failing the families they serve."
After the OCR announced its investigation, the New Richmond district said that it has followed the applicable laws and would work with the federal investigators to address the district's bathroom policies.
"The safety and security of all of our students is our top priority as a district, and we remain committed to ensuring that our students have the best learning environment possible," the district said. "The district also takes its legal obligations very seriously and has remained in compliance with all applicable laws in this area. Despite the tone and tenor of the press release, we look forward to participating in the OCR’s investigation and to work collaboratively with the OCR on these matters moving forward."
Restroom upgrades at Massachusetts high school
The Westfield, Massachusetts City Council has approved spending $637,000 to upgrade four bathrooms at Westfield Technical Academy.
The Westfield News reports the project involves full replacement of four bathrooms, two in the upper campus outside the auditorium and two on the lower campus outside the gymnasium.
The renovations will bring all four bathrooms into full compliance with applicable building codes and ADA requirements. The work includes electrical, plumbing and flooring upgrades and asbestos abatement.
Council President John Beltrandi III said that he's been to the school and has seen the bathrooms. "Yeah, they're bad," he said. "That really needs to get done."
City Councilor Cindy Harris said a recent accreditation review of the school specifically noted the deficiencies in the bathroom facilities. The approved upgrades will help the school in achieving greater compliance with accreditation standards.
Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski said the upgrades will ensure ADA compliance and significantly improve the student experience.
Bathroom upgrades delay reopening of Baltimore school
The reopening of Francis Scott Key Elementary/Middle School in Baltimore has been delayed by about a month after lawmakers secured funds to carry out comprehensive bathroom renovations.
SouthBMore.com reports that the school was closed in January to carry out mold remediation and HVAC repairs. Its scheduled March reopening has been put off until April to add bathroom renovations to the construction project.
The renovation will include:
- Installation of new toilet room accessories in all renovated restrooms.
- Repair of all existing plumbing systems and existing drainage lines serving the restrooms.
- Installation of new plumbing fixtures throughout the renovated bathroom spaces.
- Installation of new restroom partitions.
- Installation of new wall tile in all renovated restroom areas.
“The [Francis Scott Key] Elementary/Middle School PTO has long raised concerns about the condition of the bathrooms and need for renovations," Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson said. "The ongoing mold remediation presented an urgent and immediate opportunity to include those bathroom repairs as part of that process."