The “Libs of TikTok” X (formerly Twitter) account recently shared the Battle Ground Public Schools’ student handbook policy on gender-inclusive schools, a law required by the state, and called for the district to be investigated and lose federal funding.
The X post was made on Monday, March 24, and states, “Battle Ground Public Schools Policy guide states they’re a ‘gender inclusive’ district that allows the use of made-up pronouns and names, and allows males to invade female bathrooms and sports based on gender identity. This violates Trump’s (Executive Orders). This district should be investigated and lose their funding immediately.”
The “Libs of TikTok” X account has 4.3 million followers. In roughly 48 hours, the post was viewed around 161,000 times with 466 reposts.
Battle Ground Public Schools Communications Manager Amanda Richter stated in an email that the gender-inclusive schools information was added into the 2024-2025 school year’s student handbook as required by state law that was passed in 2023.
“A screenshot from the 2024-25 Battle Ground student handbook has been circulating on social media,” Richter stated in the email. “The 2024-25 handbook includes information on page 55 about gender-inclusive schools. It states that ‘all students have the right to be treated consistent with their gender identity at school,’ and provides examples.”
Battle Ground Public Schools receives roughly $14.30 million in federal funding that makes up 6% of the district’s general fund, Richter stated, adding that the district receives below the statewide average of 6.95%.
“Federal dollars are primarily used for the Title I, which serves high-poverty schools; the transitional Bilingual Instruction Program, which provides support for students who are developing English proficiency, and special education,” she stated in the email.
The student handbook was published on the district and school websites in August 2024, Richter stated. It was also shared with all school district families as part of the annual student update ahead of the current school year, she added.
The language in the handbook is required for each of the 295 school districts to publish the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction’s (OSPI) model handbook language to their own handbooks and websites. The language each district is required to publish outlines policies and procedures related to harassment, intimidation, bullying, sexual harassment and gender-inclusive schools.
“Battle Ground’s handbook language mirrors the legally required model student handbook language,” Richter stated. “According to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, which oversees K-12 public education in the state, school districts may not remove any content. The only permissible changes include district-specific coordinator contact information, links to district policies and procedures and minor formatting changes.”
OSPI also states that it has the authority to eliminate state funding for districts that do not comply with the state law.
