Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all students.
PWCS maintains a policy (PWCS Policy 738) that prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind against students on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation. This Policy is not the subject of the ongoing Title IX investigation, and the Office of Civil Rights approved PWCS Policy 738 during the fall of the 2024-25 school year.
The Office of Civil Rights’ (OCR) proposed resolution would require PWCS to violate existing law. PWCS is required by Virginia law to have a policy regarding the treatment of transgender and gender non-conforming students that addresses their access to school facilities. In addition, federal law applicable in Virginia further requires that transgender students be allowed to access facilities that are consistent with their gender identities. Our position is guided by the Fourth Circuit’s binding decision in Grimm v. Gloucester County School Board.
In response to the OCR’s recent Letter of Findings, PWCS has respectfully requested further dialogue with the U.S. Department of Education to ensure that any resolution aligns with both federal law and the needs of our diverse student community. PWCS appreciates the comments and input we have received from parents, students and other constituents, and we understand these are sensitive issues for many of our families. The school division is dedicated to complying with Title IX and all applicable laws while continuing to serve the educational needs of our students and families. We believe that thoughtful collaboration and legal clarity are essential to resolving this matter in a way that protects the rights and dignity of every student. We remain open to working with OCR to find a path forward that honors both our legal obligations and our values as a school division.