BLUE RIDGE, Ga. (AP) A group of parents in the north Georgia mountains is threatening to pull their children from school over concerns about policies regarding the bathrooms.
Parent Angel Chancey said the group is opposed to the Fannin County School System's policy of allowing transgender students to choose restrooms according to the gender they identify with. Superintendent Mark Henson tells WSB-TV (2wsb.tv/1T1dZ55) that federal guidelines dictate the system's policy.
WSB reports that a school resource officer, Anthony Walden, organized a Monday evening rally in downtown Blue Ridge for people who oppose the policy.
Chancey said she and other residents plan to speak out about their concerns at a school board meeting set for Thursday in Blue Ridge.
School system attorney Lynn Doss told Fox 5 News that under law, the school system cannot say if there are transgender students in the school system. She said failure to abide by an open restroom policy could mean the loss of $3.5 million in federal funding for Fannin County schools.
Nationwide, the issue has fueled fierce debate in recent months, particularly in North Carolina.
AccessWDUN Staff contributed to this story.