KNOXVILLE (WATE) – As the first day of school approaches in Knox County, some parents’ concerns are resurfacing over the issue of allowing transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that match the gender they identify with.

The Obama administration issued a directive in May saying all schools that receive federal funding must accommodate transgender students. Now at least one Knox County parent is fighting back saying she feels her kids would not be safe.

“I’ve been following up with their teacher since last year to find out what was going to happen and what the schools would decide to do about it,” said Samantha, who asked that her last name be withheld to protect her family.Related story: High court: Virginia school can block transgender teen from boys room

Her 14-year-old daughter is a special needs student and is non-verbal. That is a concern for Samantha as she thinks about the mandates that schools must accommodate transgender students and the bathrooms and locker rooms they use.

“She doesn’t have the ability to say, ‘Hey there’s a boy in this bathroom. He’s videoing me on his phone, or he tried to touch me,’ or anything. She has no ability to tell anyone,” she said.

WATE 6 On Your Side took her concerns to Knox County Schools Interim Superintendent Buzz Thomas. He said as of now, what the Obama administration has recommended is not law in Tennessee.

“Unless you are in a school that has single-use, gender neutral facilities, and we do have those in a lot of our schools,” Thomas said.Related story:Tennessee, 10 other states sue over federal transgender directive

He said if a child who identifies as transgender comes to the school with concerns, they will work with that family on a case-by-case basis.

“People can argue about policies and issues, but our concern is about individual children, and their moms and dads, and feeling like they’re all welcome in our schools and we’ll work with them to make sure they’re safe and happy,” Thomas said.

Some legislators tried to pass a bill this past spring that would require students to use bathrooms that match the gender on their birth certificates. That bill was withdrawn before being passed.

Samantha said, “I want it to be solid, written in stone, so that I know that I don’t have to worry about this every day that she goes to school.”

The Tennessee chapter of the ACLU sent the following statement on the matter: