Parents riled with San Marcos, Vista school districts

San Marcos parents protest and support LGBTQ resolution, while Vista parents question the need for menstrual product dispensers in elementary boys’ restrooms.

NORTH COUNTY — Parents in San Marcos and Vista have put their respective school boards and districts in the crosshairs over a pair of controversial issues.

On Feb. 12, the San Marcos Unified School District Governing Board approved a resolution designating all schools as safe spaces for LGBTQ students. However, a previous version of the resolution states the district “shall allow” equal access to programs and facilities including bathrooms and locker rooms for all students and staff aligning with their gender expression.

In Vista, the district sent notifications to parents regarding the installation of menstrual product dispensers in all the boys bathrooms, including grades 3 through 5. Parents and district sources were shocked as state law requires just one boy’s restroom to have menstrual products.

San Marcos resolution

The issue picked up steam on Feb. 11 when Supervisor Jim Desmond, a former mayor of San Marcos, posted a letter he sent the board citing his concerns with allowing males to use female restrooms and locker rooms. He questioned why young girls should sacrifice their opportunities, privacy, fairness and be the ones who must be accommodating.

SMUSD Board Vice President Andrés Martín said Desmond’s statement was misinformation, while the district told KPBS the agenda had not been changed. A district source said the resolution was changed by district staff about 30 minutes before the agenda was publicly posted on Monday.

Trustee Lena Meum said during the meeting the language had been removed and warned the board to hold off due to uncertainty with the federal government and the potential loss of federal funding. Board President Sarah Ahmad said the district must follow state law and stated the resolution does not include bathrooms or locker rooms.