Annika Hammerschlag

USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida

Collier and Lee county public schools have no plans to change their stances on transgender bathroom use after President Donald Trump reversed his predecessor’s guidance on the issue.

The Obama administration cited Title IX, the anti-sex discrimination law, when it moved to extend protections for transgender students last year. The order threatened to cut federal funding to states that refused to allow transgender students to use the bathroom corresponding with their gender identity.

Trump’s administration said in its order Wednesday the matter should be decided at the state level.

Only a handful of students identify as transgender in Collier and Lee public schools, and each district works with each individually to find a solution. For example, some students use the nurse’s bathroom.

“It’s made parents happy, it’s made students happy, and I think it works out great,” said Collier school board member Erick Carter. “We need to make sure we protect all students no matter what.”

In an emailed statement, CCPS Superintendent Kamela Patton noted the district’s procedure is in line with federal guidelines.

“The new Dear Colleague letter notes that due regard should be taken for the concerns of local school districts. In respect to our district, our current practice of working with parents and students on a case-by-case basis will continue. We have found this practice has been effective in addressing parental, student, and staff questions. District practice is, therefore, in fundamental alignment with this letter.”

Lee County has a similar case-by-case approach, a spokeswoman said.

"Our school counselors have close relationships with the families of students that identify as transgender," said Lauren Stillwell, spokeswoman for Lee County Public Schools, "and they partner with each family to ensure the unique needs of each student are addressed."

Opponents of Obama’s original directive classified the move as federal overreach. Other critics argued the new guidelines would increase incidents of sexual assault in school bathrooms.

Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, a Washington, D.C.-based conservative Christian group, issued a statement Wednesday in response to Trump’s order.

“What we were taught in kindergarten, boys use the boys' room and girls use the girls' room, was made old fashioned by liberal bureaucrats,” Perkins wrote. “Thanks to the Trump administration, parents and schools will remain free to protect the privacy and well-being of every student.”

Collier’s anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies were amended in October 2015 to expand protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity. However, there are no official guidelines addressing transgender bathroom or pronoun issues.

Collier residents in favor of opening bathroom choice to transgender students met heavy backlash from protesters at a school board meeting in June when the idea was being proposed.

Tom Jordan, co-chair of the Collier chapter of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, a national organization that aims to make schools a safe place for LGBT students, said it's important the district implement transgender-specific policies to help protect this particularly vulnerable group of students.

“While the Collier school district has been at the forefront of teaching anti-bullying education to all staff members, transgender issues are complicated and difficult, and we would like to see that training for all teachers,” he said.

More than 40 percent of transgender people in the U.S. have attempted suicide, compared with less than 5 percent of the general population, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Williams Institute.

GLSEN Collier’s treasurer Lorrie Crisci said she’s worried Trump’s directive could aggravate the issue.

“Not being able to use a bathroom could increase bullying. School is already stressful enough,” she said. “What are we setting these kids up for?”