Hillsborough County Schools will begin a district wide policy creating universal bathrooms in every school to accommodate transgender students.

All Hillsborough public schools will now have 'universal' restrooms



The facilities will accommodate transgender students

District leaders say if parents have any questions, contact your individual school



In the past, school leaders have evaluated each student’s needs on a case-by-case basis.

There will be at least one university restroom on each campus, but there could be more depending on the size of the school. Students of any sex will be able to use them when needed.

Principals received guidance and a two hour training on the subject this week. The meeting included sensitivity training and how to use proper terminology when addressing transgender students.

Robert Quinn, Principal of Jefferson High School in Tampa, says it isn’t a big change for school leaders.

“We’ve always believed no student should be bullied or harassed based on gender identity, religion, race, or for any other reason. This is just an addition to that,” said Quinn.

There is a population of transgender students in every age group in Hillsborough County Schools, according to spokesperson Tanya Arja.

Many elementary schools already have universal bathrooms. As for middle and high schools, faculty restrooms will be turned into universal bathrooms instead. The district will purchase new signage for each restroom.

“We are ahead of the game, and I think if you look at the trend, there are a lot of issues with this coming up," explained Quinn. "We are certainly looking at being proactive."

The universal bathrooms are not only for transgender students. Any student will be able to use them.

The district leaders say they expect questions from parents. There will be an on-site coordinator from every school in the district that will field phone calls and communicate with anyone who may have questions.

There is no policy yet on whether transgender students can continue to use gender specific bathrooms. Arja says the district is waiting on more guidance from the Department of Education before launching those discussions.