Hoover Principal Nikole Manou sent out an email stating that the all-gendered bathrooms at the school will become gender specific bathrooms. 

Previously, Superintendent Don Austin sent out a statement explaining the Hoover bathrooms design.

“Our design principles allow for flexibility, meaning restrooms can be designated as either gender-neutral or gender-specific based on the needs of each school community,” Austin said. 

The Hoover parents’ reaction to this has been mostly positive, after fighting for both gender specific and gender neutral restrooms since Sept. 8, when they started a petition that has since gained 1,312 signatures as of Oct. 2. 

“It felt like the first time they were actually giving clear information about the next steps,” Hoover parent Hiral Parekh said. 

Parents and students voiced their concerns at a school board meeting on Sept. 10.

“My kids are saying that they don’t feel comfortable enough to use the [all-gender] restroom [at Greendale],” Parekh said. 

Sonali Rao, a fifth grader at Hoover, also expressed concerns at the board meeting.

“You should be able to have your own space.” Rao said.

Hoover parents have formed a group of about 90 members called Hoover’s Children’s Choice.

“I think parents do plan to stay extremely engaged because we don’t have confidence in what is going to happen next,” Parekh said.