From my home town of Ottumwa; “Iowa Senator Mark Chelgren, of the 41st District, is 
troubled by President Barack Obama’s transgender bathroom directive concerning public schools and he believes a new bill he plans to introduce will help. In May 2016, the federal government told public schools that they must allow transgender students to use the restrooms/locker rooms/changing rooms/dressing rooms that correspond with their gender identity. Along with the directive came the threat of cuts to federal funding if the schools did not comply.
Since the directive was sent out, it has been a hot topic across the country. School administrators have dealt with issues of students and parents complaining when the school follows the directive. Also, a total of 21 states have filed lawsuits against the Obama administration to stop the directive.
Senator Chelgren, of Ottumwa, plans to introduce a bill to the Iowa Senate that he believes
will address the concerns of the schools. He also hopes it will alleviate the conflict that is currently being felt in schools as well as giving parents some options.
The bill would establish a program that will provide education facility choice grants to students attending a school that currently would allow an individual to use a restroom/locker room/changing room/dressing room designated for use by multiple people of the same sex, that corresponds to that individual’s gender identity. In
other words, students in grades kindergarten through 12 attending schools that are following the Obama directive, would be given grants in order to allow them to change schools. Instead of attending public schools they would have the option, with their grant, of attending a private school, on-line school, home school, etc.
Senator Chelgren believes that ultimately it’s about what is in the best interest of the child. Some may be uncomfortable with the bathroom/locker room situation, or perhaps themselves or their parents disagree with the directive. He believes that the parents know their children better than anyone else and can determine how they will do best.
‘Not all children learn the same way,’ Senator Chelgren explains. ‘And I trust the parents to know what is going to work best for their kids.’
As soon as an introduction date is available, Senator Chelgren plans to get his bill placed on the schedule. The next session of the Iowa State Legislature will begin in January 2017. He plans to have the bill be one of the first brought before the 2017 session.
‘I believe in limited small government,’ said Senator Chelgren. ‘The family is an even smaller government, and that’s who should be making these decisions.’” http://www.ottumwaeveningpost.com/9470/230337/a/chelgren-proposing-bill-in-response-to-transgender-directive
Will this “compromise” pass? Common sense would say the bill should never have to be
submitted but when it comes to Obama there is no “common sense”!
whatyareckon 