Mainer upset boy using girls restroom Orono 5th-grader wants to change genders

ORONO – The fight isn’t over for an Orono man who is upset about the actions of a student in his grandson’s class.

Paul Melanson addressed the school committee Tuesday regarding his frustration over a male student in his grandson’s fifth-grade class at Asa Adams Elementary School who was being allowed to use the girls restroom because he allegedly wants to change genders.

Melanson is the guardian for his grandson and is upset over the situation, but said at least the committee recognized Tuesday that the situation had occurred rather than denying it as school officials previously had done.

“At this kid’s request, he’s being treated like a little girl,” Melanson said when addressing the committee.

Committee Chairman Robert Swindlehurst limited Melanson’s comments to about three minutes in order to protect the identity of the student.

During his presentation to the panel, Melanson said that in October, he called Superintendent Kelly Clenchy, concerned with what his grandson had told him about the other student. Clenchy denied the situation was happening, Melanson said.

Melanson then gave his grandson permission to follow the boy into the girls restroom and use the facilities. He did so on Oct. 4 and was taken to the principal’s office.

Melanson was called and told that if his grandson continued with his behavior, “he would be having a bad year,” Melanson said.

Orono police later visited the grandfather’s house and Melanson said they told him not to use his grandson as a pawn in his fight.

“The Orono School Department is complying with all laws,” Swindlehurst said. He added that “the situation is not occurring at this time.”

But when Melanson asked which restroom the student now was using, Swindlehurst said he wouldn’t discuss the matter.

“The individual is using the appropriate bathroom,” Swindlehurst said. He then thanked Melanson for his comments.

“My attorney will follow up,” Melanson said before leaving the podium.

After the meeting, Melanson said his grandson told him the student now is using a restroom designated for teachers. Melanson said his next step would be to give his grandson permission to use that restroom, even if it means the child might be expelled.

He said that the same anti-discrimination laws that are likely to be used to justify the other boy’s use of certain restrooms also could be used to justify his grandson’s use of the same restroom.

“I’m going to keep fighting it,” Melanson said. “It’s going to continue. I want the law straightened out.”

Melanson is supported in his fight by the Maine Christian Civic League, which has published two stories on the issue on its Web site, www.cclmaine.org, and by the league’s attorney, Steve Whiting of Portland.

League Executive Director Michael Heath was unable to attend the meeting, but another representative from the organization brought to the meeting Heath’s written comments supporting Melanson.

“Support for the privacy of the student and family is leading public officials, including the police, to make some profound errors,” Heath said in the letter. “The reign of tyrannical political correctness is making us mad.”