A new state rule requiring free tampons in all boys’ school toilets is being resisted by an Oregon mother who claims the money would be better used for textbooks and supplies.
According to Oregon Live, Cherylene Stritenberg, an employee of the Eagle Point School District, has petitioned the Oregon Department of Education to repeal the Menstrual Dignity Act, initiating a two-week comment period before the law takes effect for the upcoming academic year.
The provision of free menstruation products in all toilets, even those intended for males as young as kindergarten, is mandated by law for public schools, community institutions, and universities.
It attempts to include children who are transgender and non-binary, but according to Stritenberg, the money might be used far more wisely.
However, according to Stritenberg, who has previously asked the state to waive its COVID vaccine mandate for teachers and volunteers, the rule is adding to the state’s costs at a time when more than 80% of its high school pupils struggle to graduate.
In actuality, according to an estimate from the Oregon Legislative Revenue Office from the previous year, the state would divert from the State School Fund roughly $5.6 million during the first two years, which would be sufficient to cover the wages of about 30 teachers on a yearly basis.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against making these products available, but demanding that we divert money from our State School Funds to ensure that they are specifically included in boys’ bathrooms is a misuse of those funds, Stritenberg said, suggesting that the money be used instead for new textbooks and supplies.
My goal is that we can rethink the situation and find a better answer that is both cost-effective and helpful to those in need, she continued.
The Menstrual Dignity Act was first proposed by Democratic Rep. Ricki Ruiz in the Oregon state legislature. It received strong support there, with all but one Republican voting in favor.
According to proponents, providing free period products to everyone will spare students going through puberty from needless embarrassment and money, according to Oregon Live.
Although proponents argue that providing the products in guys’ bathrooms is an unneeded waste of money and a sop to wokeness, this is commonly agreed upon.
When the program launched last year, districts were supposed to offer free tampons and pads in “at least two bathrooms,” but they were free to choose which ones.
The initial version of the measure simply mandated that schools give items in gender-neutral and girls’ facilities.
Later, the regulation was expanded to cover all boys’ restrooms as well, allowing transgender and non-binary pupils access to these amenities.
Many of our young people, as we all know, identify as neither men nor women, or they are transitioning between the sexes, according to Ruiz.
“We wanted to respect that and make sure we have these resources available in all restrooms for anyone who might be having a hard time switching to a different facility,” the company stated.
According to Oregon Live, this is currently the West Coast’s most comprehensive menstrual products bill.
Due to exorbitant expenses, California’s 2021 rule was scaled back to just cover bathrooms in schools for students in grades six through twelve, with at least one boys’ restroom each school.
State universities and community colleges must also offer at least one site on campus where students can access these goods.
Additionally, all gender-neutral and female toilets in public and private schools in Washington State must have menstruation products available for kids in grades six through twelve.
Menstrual hygiene products must be available in at least one male restroom if a school does not offer a gender-neutral restroom.
Additionally, the law mandates that these items be available to pupils in grades three through five in at least one location.
However, Oregon’s law goes a step further and mandates the availability of tampons and pads in boys’ restrooms for kids as young as kindergarten, which, in Stritenberg’s opinion, is a waste of resources and raises concerns that kids may misuse the goods and harm the facilities.
According to Oregon Live, despite the fact that the state is supposed to reimburse the school districts for the costs, the Beaverton School District, Portland Public Schools, and David Douglas School District have already spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on the new dispensers for every restroom.
About $200,000 was spent by Portland on items and dispensers, including larger units for bathrooms for girls and people of all genders and smaller units for facilities for guys.
In contrast, the Beaverton School District has invested about $300,000.
Stritenberg is now attempting to stop the action by petitioning the state to let public comment before the statute takes effect.
After receiving the petition, the Department of Education has 90 days to react.
Districts may continue to provide the goods in boys’ bathrooms if state officials decide to reverse the law, and Josh Gamez, the Beaverton School District’s chief facilities officer, said the district would want to consult with its community before making a decision.
“We want to encourage it if the product is being used,” he said. This is intended for students.
High school graduate Daphne Ischer said she favors the continued application of the more comprehensive law.
She previously stated that it’s critical for non-binary and transgender students to experience acceptance.
When she spoke in support of the legislation last year, she noted that there weren’t always many or complete access to gender-neutral restrooms.
Ischer continued by saying that she saw the widespread use of dispensers as a chance to begin educating younger pupils about periods and menstrual hygiene.
“Periods become less stigmatized when we start these dialogues in the schools early and those conversations continue.”
Ruiz added that while he is certain the bill will be preserved, he is also ready to make changes if necessary.