Friday, the Obama Administration issued a non-legally binding order that all public schools in the U.S. should adopt the same transgender bathroom rules recently enacted at Target Stores, and put into law by the Washington State Human Rights Commission in December.

While it is not a law, failure to enact such policies could leave school districts open to lawsuits, and there is word the federal government could threaten school district funding.

According to Fox News, the 25 page letter says schools who do not comply could face penalties, whatever that means. Most experts are saying it's likely the threat of withdrawing federal funds.

Newstalk 870 spoke briefly with Kennewick School District Assistant Principal of Secondary Education Ron Williamson Friday.  He said educators are just now getting information about the new directive, but didn't indicate if the 25-page letter had been distributed.

School officials could not confirm and didn't want to speculate if they believe the feds will actually threaten funding withdrawal for failure to enact these policies.

Williamson said transgender issues in the Kennewick School District have been dealt with privately and quietly and on a case-by-case basis for a number of years, and addressing the needs of such students is nothing new.  Their handling of these situations has worked very well, and it's gone relatively unnoticed.

The schools will possibly need protective curtains, or infrastructure installed to allow students to utilize whichever facility they identify with, while protecting the privacy of others.The Kennewick School District has already fielded dozens of calls from parents, wanting to know what direction the district will take. There will be a school board meeting at the Administration Building on 4th. Ave on Wednesday, May 25, starting at 5:30pm. Williamson strongly suggested parents come to the meeting, as public comment is taken at the beginning of the meeting, and voice their opinion on this matter. 

If you cannot attend, click here to link to the Kennewick School District Administration page.

Pasco School District has a board of directors meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 24, at 6:30pm. Click here for more details.

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