Colorado Family’s Outrage Over School Trip Policy
A family in Colorado is expressing strong concerns after their 11-year-old daughter was assigned a hotel room, sharing a bed with a transgender student during a school trip to Washington, D.C. This incident has sparked a federal appeal focusing on parental rights and the transparency of schools.
Serena Wales, the girl’s mother, voiced her frustration, saying, “They told us not to discuss it, citing privacy for other students. But what about my daughter’s privacy?” She noted that the school district did not inform them that one of the assigned students was biologically male.
The Wales family claims their daughter didn’t discover this information until they arrived at the trip in 2023, which led to an emotional phone call to her mother, who was a chaperone at the event.
The school eventually allowed the girl to switch rooms but allegedly instructed her not to reveal why, something her parents see as part of a troubling trend of secrecy in Jefferson County Public Schools.
Joe Wales, Serena’s husband, stated, “After this incident, we chose not to engage with the school directly. We considered our options and felt legal action was necessary to address the situation.”
According to the group Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), which has filed legal briefs on behalf of four families in the case of Wales v. Jefferson County Public Schools, the complaint argues that local school districts permit biologically male students to stay overnight with girls, relying solely on gender identity and doing so without notifying or obtaining parental consent.
The ADF attorney, Matt Sharp, explained that they seek to eliminate these policies. “We want parents’ rights safeguarded. Parents should be made aware of these problematic policies and have their requests honored,” he said.
Sharp further remarked on the necessity for schools to respect parental concerns, especially regarding privacy. “If a school is asked not to place a daughter in a room with boys, they must honor that request,” he added.
Jefferson County Public Schools has not provided immediate feedback regarding this case. However, they released a statement to local media mentioning their disagreement with several allegations in the lawsuit. They expressed their intention to present their case in court, emphasizing the careful considerations they give to families and students’ needs.
The district also assured that participation in residential programs is ultimately a family’s choice and reiterated their commitment to adhere to Colorado state laws regarding student treatment.
