(8-7-23) A federal judge has dismissed federal claims by parents at Bethel Local Schools made against the district’s restroom policy for transgender students, effectively terminating the case.

The decision (see below) states-

“Although parents have the right to make decisions about where to send their children to school, they do not have a constitutional right to revoke a school’s policy on student bathroom usage.”

At the time the decision was made on the bathroom policy Superintendent Justin Firks (former Ft. Recovery Superintendent and Coldwater grad) told News Center 7 in an email – –

“Unfortunately, this is not an issue where personal beliefs of the Superintendent, administration or Board of Education are relevant. The rulings of transgender bathroom issues are of statutory interpretation not whether it is right, wrong, moral or immoral, or a violation of Christian values.”

Several weeks later Firks resigned and is now the High School Principal at Elida.

Matthew Chrispin

Bethel school’s Superintendent Matthew W. Chrispin (a Celina grad) issued a statement on the ruling :

“The landmark decision makes clear the school district acted neutrally towards all students, wanting to follow the law, to eliminate discrimination on the basis of sex, protecting the rights of its transgender students, when it comes to making all campus restrooms accessible to all students in conformity with the student’s gender identity,” said Lynnette Dinkler, legal counsel for the Board of Education, it’s Board Members and Superintendent.

“The Court’s decision makes clear the school board acted to eliminate discrimination on the basis of sex. It equally makes clear the school district never acted in violation of any right owed to disagreeing students and their parents, including the right to freely exercise one’s religion,” Dinkler added.”

Complete Federal Court Document

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