Girl allegedly expelled for kneeing boy in bathroom at Alaska high school
A female student at North Pole High School in Alaska was supposedly expelled for fighting back against a boy after he and a group of others tried to enter the girls' bathroom, according to the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.
The unidentified student kneed one of the seven boys in the groin last week after they attempted to walk into the bathroom to protest the use of the boys' restroom by another student who was transitioning from female to male. The transgender student had allegedly taken a selfie and posted it on Snapchat, angering the boys, who, in turn, decided to do the same in the girls' bathroom, the Washington Post reports.
The girl purportedly kneed the first boy to enter the bathroom and was subsequently punished for what was deemed "excessive force." Her older sister said on Twitter that the girl had been blocked from leaving the bathroom and was expelled for responding accordingly.
Karen Gaborik, the school district's superintendent, told the News-Miner on Sunday that the seven boys, along with the girl, were disciplined but did not confirm whether the girl was actually expelled. Some of the boys apparently appealed their punishments afterwards.
"We don't advocate violence as a means for students to attain safety," Gaborik said. "If a student does use force, we have to evaluate that incident."
In a more detailed statement that was released by the district on Monday, the superintendent said that school counselors and administrators — not students — are responsible for working with transgender individuals to determine how best to meet the latter group's needs. Those transgender students can choose to use gender-neutral bathrooms, bathrooms that correspond with their birth sex or, in some cases, bathrooms that are consistent with their gender identity, she added.
"Students are not permitted to determine which restroom facility is appropriate for other students," Gaborik further warned. "Students who use or attempt to use a restroom facility that a school administrator has determined is not appropriate for the student, could be subject to student discipline."
Still, the decision to punish the girl has led to criticism from those who say that she was simply defending herself. State Rep. Tammie Wilson, who was in touch with the girl's family, said in a news conference that she did not agree with the girl's punishment.
"I said, 'Good for her,'" Wilson said. "I would have taught my daughter to do the same."
The girl's family told the Washington Post that they plan to appeal her punishment.
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