An open letter to the School Board

By Delegate Geary Higgins
Member, Virginia House of Delegates
District 30, Western Loudoun & Fauquier Counties

Dear Loudoun County School Board Members,

As a former LCPS School Board Member and parent, as well as a current LCPS grandparent and elected State Delegate, I have sat in your seats, and I know first-hand about the responsibilities of a school board member. I must say I am thoroughly disappointed and frustrated, but unfortunately no longer surprised, by the behavior of LCPS, specifically regarding the recent treatment of the three boys at Stonebridge High School, and the disregard LCPS has for their own policies, state and federal mandates, and the law.

I attended Tuesday’s 4:30 pm school board meeting to speak to you about these issues and upon arriving I was informed that I would have one minute to speak. After waiting for four hours for the opportunity to speak, my one minute of speaking time was then interrupted and cut short by the Chair. Three and a half years ago, you told us that LCPS had to comply with the State Board of Education’s 8040 model policy issued by the previous administration. Today, you actively disregard the current administration’s policy.

I have spoken with the parents of all three male students involved in the incident. I contacted your government affairs staff for a meeting, but I was told that no one would discuss my questions. LCPS is failing these young men and has the potential to ruin their futures should this ridiculous LCPS Title IV investigation not stop. These young men were understandably uncomfortable with a girl in their locker room, who was filming them, and yet the boys are the ones in trouble. How long are we going to continue to punish students with this unscientific and radical agenda that boys can be girls and vice versa?

LCPS appears to be relying on the Fourth Circuit’s Grimm vs. Gloucester decision as their guide, but Grimm specifically addressed only restrooms and did not address locker rooms, showers, or sports. As a 14- or 15-year-old young man, I cannot imagine a more inappropriate, awkward or embarrassing situation than having a girl in my locker room taking a video. Kids deserve to feel safe at school and safe in their locker rooms. Placing adolescent children of the opposite sexes together in a place of undress is unacceptable and just plain wrong. Where is your decency and common sense?

Further, as a taxpayer, I am amazed that this board will actively turn its nose up at as much as $100 million federal dollars rather than comply with federal policies. There are Virginia school divisions whose entire budget is less than $100 million. Since I left the Board of Supervisors in 2020, your cost per pupil has risen by over 50% while your enrollment continues to decline. When I sat on the LCPS Board, every dollar mattered.

Your decision to insist on these radical policies at the direct expense of the taxpayer and the safety of our children, who you are supposed to be protecting, is unacceptable and irresponsible.