Florence — Parents of students in the Florence-Penrose School District expressed concern during Monday’s regular board meeting about a transgender Florence High School girl who has been granted permission by the school, and the district, to continue to use the girls’ restroom at the school.

The topic stems from an article published in October with the Christian Broadcast Network, which alleged “the push for radical transgender rights in schools is trumping privacy rights” at FHS, according to an earlier Daily Record article.

According to the article, the transgender student allegedly had been harassing girls in the bathroom, which prompted the parents of other female students to complain.

During the public input section, Barbara Penezik, Carol Clemenson and Jerry Hoel complained the issue was decided during an earlier executive session.

“Who decided that it was OK that one transgender child’s rights (would) take precedent over what must be 400 or 500 girls in that school?,” Penezik asked. “If it’s only to respect one transgender child, why don’t you give him a bathroom? I have a daughter, and I don’t agree with this at all. You’re teaching my child to go against my wishes.”

She said the students were told they had to go against what their parents had taught them.

“I want to know why that it was justified,” Penezik said.

However, School Board Director Bart Hall disagreed.

“The meeting that we had involved an underage student and also for legal advice,” he said. “(Actually, we voted) for it in a public meeting.”

Hall told the parents that coming to a board meeting is not the way to change a law.

Jerry Hoel asked what exactly is the law.

“As it was explained to us, the law indicates a transgender person has a right to use restroom facilities of the gender in which they identify with, meaning whatever they call themselves — male or female,” Hall answered.

Hoel said it’s time for people get some courage and say, “no, we’re not going to do this.”

“I think it’s time people (stood up for what’s right),” he said.

Clemenson said the district shows respect for the transgender.

“But what about the girls rights?,” she asked. “They’re victims.”

After the meeting, Superintendent Rhonda Vendetti said the issue was voted on in a public session with a 7-0 vote to uphold the non-discrimination report.

In 2008, the Colorado General Assembly passed a bill barring discrimination based on sexual orientation, including transgender status.

Senate Bill 08-200, states Colorado law requires all programs and activities be free from discrimination based on sexual orientation. The bill describes sexual orientation as “a person’s orientation toward heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, transgender status or another person’s perception thereof.”

The document also states school districts are required under federal and state law to institute board policies that protect employees, the public and students from discrimination.

In other business, the board made the following decisions:

— Approved a contract with the Arkansas Groundwater Users Association to augment the use of water in the school district wells for the 2014 irrigation cycle.

— Approved the Pikes Peak BOCES contract for 2013-2014 school year.

— Tabled the Brilliant Outdoor Media bus advertising proposal.

— Approved the pay request for $16,950 for the audit fee for Dixon, Waller & Company for the 2012-2013 school year.

— Approved the mill levy of $158,118,197 for taxable property of the Fremont, Custer and El Paso counties School District No. Re-2 with headquarters in Fremont County.