The U.S. Department of Education has opened an investigation into a Massachusetts school district after parents alleged school officials helped socially transition their minor child without telling them.
The investigation, launched by the department’s Student Privacy Policy Office, involves the Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough and Algonquin Regional High School, according to reporting from The Center Square.
Parents allege they were kept in the dark
According to the Education Department under the Trump administration, the district allegedly violated the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, known as FERPA, and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment, known as PPRA.
FERPA gives parents or guardians the right to request access to their children’s education records. PPRA gives parents certain consent rights before a child participates in sensitive surveys or physical examinations.
The parents claim school personnel helped socially transition their daughter into a boy without their knowledge or consent. They also alleged their child attended after-school counseling sessions connected to the transition while they believed she was getting academic help for math, according to the Student Privacy Policy Office.
Education Department cites parent rights
The Center Square reported that it contacted the U.S. Education Department for comment and was told the department does not comment on ongoing investigations.
Frank Miller, director of the Student Privacy Policy Office, said in a statement that parents have a right to know what is happening with their children at school, especially on personal matters involving health and well-being.
District denies the allegations
The Northborough-Southborough Regional School District said it is aware of the federal investigation and will cooperate fully. The district also denied the allegations.
“The Northborough-Southborough Regional School District is aware of the announcement by the U.S. Department of Education. It welcomes and will cooperate fully with any authority investigating this matter and appreciates the opportunity to provide a complete factual record surrounding the allegations referenced in media interviews by two individuals whose child formerly attended Algonquin Regional High School,” Superintendent Gregory Martineau said in a statement.
The Center Square said it also sought comment from the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition and MassEquality but did not receive a response.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations have not been established as findings of federal law violations.
