St. Johns County will continue to provide gender-neutral bathrooms

St. Johns County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Joyner said Wednesday that his district's schools will continue to provide gender-neutral restroom facilities.

“I am committed to doing what is right for each and every child," Joyner's statement said. "We believe our current practice is lawful and reasonable in that we provide gender neutral restroom facilities to accommodate privacy and safety for all students as needed or requested."

Joyner's statement continued:

“There has been no binding decision made on schools in Florida and I, along with our School Board, will continue to follow the development on this guidance and make adjustments to our current practice only if necessary. Again, my focus remains on the needs of the individual child.”

Joyner's statement comes on the heels of action taken by Clay County and Duval County schools after the directive issued this week by President Barack Obama. 

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Clay County Superintendent Charlie Van Zant sent a voice message to Clay parents explaining that the school district would not comply with a directive from President Obama’s administration that allows transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms of their choice.

“This directive from the Obama administration does not carry the force of law and you can be assured that we will not allow this intrusion by the federal government into your child’s school life," said Van Zant in a video posted on YouTube Monday.

A Jacksonville mother is suing the Duval County school district over its policy that allows transgender students to use bathrooms based on their gender identity.

Cox Media Group