New York City Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina recently announced a new policy that will require every city public school to provide at least one single-stall restroom, WNBC-TV reported. Farina says the requirement will ensure that schools offer “a safe, supportive and inclusive learning environment” for students.
.@CarmenFarinaDOE announces a new citywide initiative to designate single-stall student restrooms in all NYC schools https://t.co/uaV4jLXMvY
— NYC Public Schools (@NYCSchools) May 2, 2017
The chancellor said in a statement Tuesday that the new stalls will be available in all city public schools by January 2018.
Benjamin Davis of the Gender and Family Project at the Ackerman Institute for the Family applauded the decision, saying that the new policy will allow students to use a public restroom “without threat of harassment, violence or intimidation,” WNBC reported.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio personally endorsed the new mandate on Twitter:
New York's students have a right to privacy, safety, respect and comfort during the school day. https://t.co/KMlNYtl6Xd
— Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) May 2, 2017
But the mandate is already receiving criticism from parents and New Yorkers who oppose using tax dollars to make special accommodations for students who classify themselves as transgender:
@NYCMayor Dumblasio wants to spend more money on private toilets in schools these toilets were fine when we went to school. Drug test this liberal.
— BigBlue (@BigBlue74303167) May 2, 2017
@NYCMayor Wow where is all this money coming from??? Oh wait the American Tax Payers
— Lisa Lewandowski (@lisalew65) May 2, 2017
@NYCMayor & who is going 2 pay 4 the single stall bathrooms & air conditioning in all the schools??? Us New Yorkers I assume.
— annette (@AnnetteMari2) May 3, 2017
Chancellor Farina noted Tuesday that students will be sent home with informational newsletters explaining the initiative in greater depth.
—
Other Must-Read Stories:
—Family With Five Children of Their Own Adopts Six More
—Long Island Doctors Repair Skulls of Triplets Born With Extremely Rare Condition
—UPDATE: Texas Parents Meet Hero Who Risked His Life to Save Their Children From Raging Flood
—Former Terrorist, Drug Trafficker-Turned-Pastor is Restoring Hope in Mexico