Massachusetts school investigated by Dept. of Education over alleged gender transition of minor

The U.S. Department of Education’s Student Privacy Policy Office has launched an investigation into the Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough in Massachusetts over alleged violations of federal law after school officials allegedly socially transitioned a minor to another gender.

According to the Trump administration, the Massachusetts school district at its Algonquin Regional High School allegedly violated the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act after reports that school officials allegedly facilitated the “gender transition” of a minor student without parents’ knowledge or consent.

FERPA gives parents or guardians the right to request their children's education records, while PPRA gives parents the right to consent to their child before they take a sensitive survey or physical examination.

The parents of a student at the school claim that school personnel helped socially transition their daughter into a boy without informing them.

The parents claim that their daughter participated in counseling sessions after school to support the transition while they thought she was receiving academic assistance for her math class, according to SPPO.

The Center Square reached out to the U.S. Education Department for comment but was told that the department does not comment on ongoing investigations.

“Parents have a right to know what is happening with their children at school, particularly when it concerns deeply personal matters involving their health and well-being,” Frank Miller, director of the Student Privacy Policy Office, said in a statement.

The Northborough-Southborough Regional School District said it is aware of the Education Department’s investigation and will cooperate fully, while denying all allegations.

“The Northborough-Southborough Regional School District is aware of the announcement by the U.S. Department of Education. It welcomes and will cooperate fully with any authority investigating this matter and appreciates the opportunity to provide a complete factual record surrounding the allegations referenced in media interviews by two individuals whose child formerly attended Algonquin Regional High School,” Superintendent Gregory Martineau said in a statement.

The Center Square reached out to MA Transgender Political Coalition and MassEquality for a comment but did not receive a response.