FLEMING ISLAND – The school board approved a policy requiring students to use restrooms, locker rooms and changing rooms according to their birth-assigned gender.

The measure passed unanimously, but not without much discussion and one final moment of controversy.

Mary Bolla attempted to abstain from her “yes” decision after casting her vote. Board attorney J. Bruce Bickner suggested she shouldn’t change her vote. He wasn’t trying to influence her opinion but warned Bolla that changing the vote would require her to complete ethics paperwork.

The school board member still has her doubts moving forward.

“My concern with this particular policy with an attachment of a punishment is that we are punishing some of our most vulnerable students. These vulnerable students have gone through a lot in their lives. They have not had the support that some of our sons and daughters have. It concerns me that we’re going to push the vulnerable students even deeper into vulnerability,” she said.

Violating the policy could result in school detention or potential law enforcement consultation.

“I think regarding the bathroom policy, we can all say a lot, but to me, it’s simple common sense, and it’s sad that we have to even write a policy,” board member Beth Clark said.

Students can request an exemption. A student or parent much submit a request and the school’s administration must approve it. If approved, the individual can use any gender-neutral or single-stall accommodations available on campus.

“If there are valid, workable ideas that we could come up with at some point, we could create procedures that could alleviate some of the stress of the kids in duress about the policy,” said Michelle Hanson.

“Yes, we can do that. We do that all the time,” Superintendent David Broskie said.

The board also agreed to readvertise the board attorney position immediately. Bickner’s contract will expire on Dec. 30.

The first interview session for candidates will be on June 20, following the board’s workshop.

In other business, the board approved Broskie’s request to make changes to his administrative staff. Jennifer Collins will become the Supervisor of School Improvement and Leadership Development, while Kyle Seymour will be the Supervisor of the Budget and Tonie Phillips will be the new Coordinator of Health Benefits. Also, Lydia Creel (Lake Asbury Junior High), Jim Herrholtz (Discovery Elementary), Justin Jones (Grove Park Elementary), Mallory McConnell (Fleming Island Elementary) and Amanda Strickland (Charles E. Bennett) were appointed as new principals.