PRJUSD trustees agree to hold information item on transgender policies

By Camille DeVaul · Wed Jan 14 2026

Following public comment, board agrees to add an informational item addressing student concerns and legal requirements

PASO ROBLES — Students and community members again came forward during the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District (PRJUSD) meeting, held on Tuesday, Jan. 13, to express concerns over the district's policy on transgender students using the girls’ locker rooms, restrooms, and participating in girls' sports at Paso Robles High School (PRHS).

Over the past few months, parents, students, trustees, and district administrators have weighed in on campus safety, bathroom use, and the board’s repeated debates over state-mandated protections involving transgender student policies.

Aster Watson, president of the PRHS Queer Student Union, addressed trustees about the fear they feel every day and the bullying they receive from other students. He added that his fears were based on experience, and not hypothetical situations the other side of the aisle holds concerns over.

"These are things that have actually happened to me, not assumptions of what might happen," Watson said. "I received support from my teachers, but other school staff seemed to take no action on my behalf ... I felt like my experiences didn't matter ... most of all I felt unsafe. I hold fear for my safety on campus for reasons that are based in experience and fact."

He added that while there is a sexual harassment issue on campus, it has nothing to do with the transgender students.

"No problem will be solved by focusing on trans students because we aren't the problem," Watson said. "The true issue is systemic and repetitive leniency from staff, who in their inaction, affirm the belief that PRJUSD will not take disciplinary action against students who have committed acts of harassment and bullying."

PRHS student and tennis player Addison Long addressed trustees, saying she feels uncomfortable with a male student participating on the girls tennis team or on girls sports teams in general.

"During our varsity tennis season, we didn't use our locker rooms to change before practices and matches," Long said. "We would go to the restroom, and this student would change with our team present, which was disrespectful to our privacy."

She also wanted to tell trustees that it is hard for students to speak up about situations that involve transgender students.

"When we do speak, we are often labeled as insensitive or told our concerns don't matter, but our discomfort is real, and it deserves to be acknowledged," Long said. "No student should feel pressured to stay silent when their privacy and dignity are just being compromised."

Trustee Kenney Enney again asked trustees to consider a possible compromise for students and to place the issue on a future agenda for discussion.

Trustee Jim Cogan said he thinks the board should wait until the Supreme Court takes action before the district makes any kind of resolution.

He added, "I do appreciate and am a little protective of all of our students, even the ones I disagree with. I hope that any student who comes and speaks feels comfortable doing so and feels appreciated and heard. I think it's a good learning experience to know that being heard does not mean being agreed with."

However, Trustee Leo Castillo agreed to having an informational item placed on the agenda so that the board and community can know other situations that have been reported, and also eliminate any fear students may have around reporting those fears.

"My stance on the bathroom needs and the issue that we have with the bathroom situation, my stance has stayed the same, and I think we need to figure out something because something is going to happen," Castillo said. "That's been my biggest fear since day one. Not to one specific group or specific type of student, but any student. Regardless of their identity."

Trustees Nathan Williams and Joel Peterson also agreed to having something placed onto the agenda as an informational item only.

"I think this has come to a tipping point, and I am also kind of in favor because there is so much action around this and conversation, I am open to this coming back. I think we need to have the conversation," Peterson said.

PRJUSD Superintendent Jennifer Loftus said students have multiple ways to ask for help, including an anonymous tip line. When concerns like those raised at the meeting arise, she said staff are expected to ask questions, identify what went wrong, and make changes to prevent similar issues in the future.

Loftus also addressed the legal framework guiding district policies. She noted that California law requires schools to provide male, female, and gender-neutral restrooms, and that students are allowed to choose which facilities they use.

“At the end of the day, every student gets to decide which they want to use,” she said.

Moving forward, Loftus said the district will review what the law allows, examine the options available within that framework, and consider solutions that are both acceptable to the community and in the best interest of students, which can be presented at a future informational item.

The board unanimously approved to hold an informational item in February.

The next Paso Robles Joint Unified School District board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 6 p.m.