ELMIRA HEIGHTS, N.Y. (WENY) -- At Wednesday night's Elmira Heights Central School District Board of Education meeting, a decision was made about the retirement of a teacher who allegedly denied an elementary student, who is a trans female, from using the girl's bathroom. The board made a statement on the matter, citing laws regarding human rights and New York State's Dignity for All Students Act.
"These laws protect individuals based on, among other things, gender identity, sexual orientation, and other characteristics ensuring the safe and inclusive environments for all students and staff. We, the district of Elmira Heights, are committed to upholding the rights and dignity of every member of our community, by following this framework that we are required to by law," said Superintendent Michael F. Gill.
The board also made a statement regarding the teacher.
"We do want to share that Mr. Condame, Mr. C, as he is referred to, did resign on his own terms. It was his choice to do so, and his timing to do so. And, ultimately, what he had hoped was that, while he decided this on his own, he never wanted any divisiveness to occur, he hoped that we could find a way forward to to kind of understand each other better. As far as the district, we appreciate his extenuated, 37 plus years, which is unprecedented as far as his service to the district," said Gill.
RELATED: Elmira Heights CSD: no comment on transgender student denied access to girl's bathroom
Last week, there was a debate by concerned community members about the issue at hand. More than 100 people packed into the auditorium to voice their concerns. On Wednesday, roughly 25 people were in attendance. Some spoke in support of the student, while others defended Mr. C.
"The fact of the matter is, these are children, and who the heck are we to question or judge how these students identify or express themselves. As for this particular child at the center of all this, all I've seen is her family show her unconditional love and support," said one speaker.
"This district should quite frankly be ashamed in the way they've let a teacher as valuable as Mr. C to be treated. What that man has been through over the past several years, and unfortunately culminating in his early retirement is reprehensible," said another speaker.
Ultimately, the school board accepted Mr. C's retirement.