Va. school district adopts new children's privacy, safety policy

GLOUCESTER CO. (WSLS 10) - Gloucester County Public Schools have adopted a new policy that reserves restrooms and changing areas for members of the same biological sex, while also providing an alternative private facility for students struggling with sexual identity issues. 

Alliance Defending Freedom sent out a letter on Thursday commending the schools on this action. 

ADF says they recently sent the district a model policy and encouraged them to respect children's privacy and protect itself from legal liability in its effort to accommodate the needs of all students. 

"We applaud the district for listening to parents and respecting their right to control their children's education and upbringing," the ADF letter states. "As GCPS's policy on student privacy demonstrates, schools can reconcile the competing interests in these delicate situations by being respectful of the privacy concerns of all children and sensitive to the diverse needs of individual children."

The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia has denounced the school board's decision and threatened a lawsuit. ADF says they'll offer the school district free legal assistance if the ACLU or anyone else files a lawsuit against the policy.