Peoria Unified School District Unveils Bold New Policies for Student Privacy and Anti-Discrimination

By Matthew Holloway |

The Peoria Unified School District (PUSD) has officially implemented new Student Privacy and Anti-Discrimination policies aimed at clarifying longstanding issues regarding student rights. These policies address concerns that have lingered for years, bringing a more structured approach to critical matters.

Key features of the student privacy policy include the reaffirmation of established sex-based privacy standards. Multi-person restrooms, showers, and locker rooms will be restricted to usage based on biological sex, although the district will provide safe accommodations for those seeking additional privacy. The updated Anti-Discrimination policy expands protections to include pregnancy and parenting status, veteran status, genetic information, and sets a clear definition of sex as biological, while retaining existing protections related to race, color, religion, age, national origin, and disability.

A press release from PUSD emphasizes that these new policies are founded on the original intent of Title IX, enacted over 50 years ago to eliminate sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs. The district maintains that these policies balance equal opportunity with recognition of inherent biological differences, particularly within athletic programs and privacy considerations.

“The Board’s adoption of these standards guarantees that students can learn in an environment that respects their rights and privacy,” stated a district representative. The policies transfer accommodation responsibilities back to the district, alleviating the burden on individual students.

Board President Heather Rooks expressed her commitment to safeguarding students, declaring, “A strong Student Privacy Policy is not just a district priority—it is a community expectation. Parents trust us to foster secure environments conducive to learning.” National surveys, Rooks noted, consistently indicate public support for maintaining sex-based privacy standards.

These policies have stirred debate on the school board since 2023, escalating after the Governing Board initially voted against drafting such measures, as reported by AZ Free News. The newly elected administration under Rooks has swiftly moved forward with policy adoption.

Rooks, recently facing a legal setback regarding her use of biblical quotations during board meetings, announced her intention to continue quoting the Bible, backed by her legal team. Following a ruling from U.S. District Judge Michael Liburdi, which stated emailed opinions from the district’s attorney were legal advice, Rooks is poised to maintain her practices at future meetings.

First Liberty Institute, the legal organization advocating for Rooks, confirmed her plans to appeal the court’s ruling in order to protect her right to free speech in board discussions.

Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. For more stories, follow him on X or reach out via email at Matthew@azfreenews.com.