By: Editors Alyx Prieto and Addie Zwick

A Transgender bathroom policy was passed by the Menasha School Board on Monday at the Maplewood Community Room.

The Menasha school board was approached by parents of a Transgender high school student asking permission for her to use female restrooms and change into her band uniform with other girls well over a year ago, Menasha school board member and NHS teacher Eric Thiede said.

The school board granted the student permission and also decided to draft a new police for all Transgender students. The policy ranges from issues to phys-ed classes and locker rooms to sports and bathrooms.

“I believe this policy is in the best interest of Transgender students because it allows them to be who they are and to feel safe in school at all times,” Thiede said.

The NHS GSA attended the final reading of the policy before the school board vote. Several people spoke in favor of and against the policy, but ultimately the school board voted unanimously to enact the policy.

This is the first official Transgender policy enacted by the Menasha School District.

“We wanted to make sure that we have protected the rights of all students… from now and moving forward into the future,” Thiede said, expressing hope that Neenah might enact a similar policy in the years to come.