Marion County's school district officials feel vindicated after President Trump rescinded federal guidelines regarding transgender students and bathrooms.
- Marion County schools restricted bathroom access based on birth sex last April
- District never changed policy despite Obama guideline
- Trump rescinded guidelines Wednesday night
- RELATED: Trump officials, others disagree over transgender student bathrooms issue
"We were on the right side of the law," said School Board Member Nancy Stacy.
In April, the Marion County School Board passed on a 4 to 1 vote a resolution that restricts access to facilities based on birth sex.
A month later President Obama issued the guideline. It told schools to grant bathroom access based on gender identity, even if the students chosen identity wasn't the same as what was in their student record.
The school board never changed their policy and now won't have to.
"We were willing to take this to a constitutional challenge and we don't have to do that now," said Stacy.
But parents of transgender students, like Beth Miller, said the bathroom issue affects her son's education.
"To rescind the federal guidelines that were put in place I think is mean-spirited," Miller said. "Our kids should all be able to go to school and feel safe. My son, when he goes to school, doesn't feel safe."
Equality Florida sent out a statement:
"What the President has done is certain to create new confusion and has put an even bigger target on the backs of children who already face tremendous levels of bullying and harassment."
Marion County public school officials say if any students feels bullied, they can use a separate bathroom.