'Spend it on books': Oregon mom challenges DoE on law for free tampons in BOYS’ restrooms
A mom and Eagle Point School District board member Cherylene Stritenberg challenged the Oregon Department of Education to roll back the law that provides free tampons and pads in all school restrooms regardless of gender, arguing that it wastes the school funding. In August 2021, the Oregon legislature passed the Menstrual Dignity Act which required schools to gradually increase the supply of tampons for students.
Initially, schools were required to provide free menstrual products in any two bathrooms of their choice by the end of the 2021-2022 school year, but by 2023, they will be required to provide the products in all bathrooms, regardless of gender. The law passed through the state legislature with near-universal support from both Republicans and Democrats. The main concern of Stritenberg is the wastage of school funding as she wants more money for school supplies and books, according to Oregon Live.
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Stritenberg filed a petition to the Oregon Department of Education to roll back the Menstrual Dignity Act. In 2021, the Oregon Legislative Revenue Office estimated that the state would redirect about $5.6 million from the State School Fund for the supply of tampons out of the $9.3 billion education budget. Still, Stritenberg’s petition argues that the state should strike the requirement to provide tampons specifically in boy’s bathrooms, calling it a “misuse” of funds. “My hope is that we can reevaluate and come to a better solution that is financially responsible and beneficial to those who need it,” Stritenberg told Oregonlive.
Requiring access to menstrual products for students who are likely too young to use them is a waste of resources, said Stritenberg. “Don’t get me wrong I’m not opposed to making these products available, but requiring we divert funds from our state school funds to ensure they are included specifically in boys’ bathrooms is a misuse of those funds,” she added.
Both Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tina Kotek and her Republican rival Christine Drazan appeared to agree and voted for the bill on June 24, 2021. As originally introduced, the bill required schools to provide period products in both gender-neutral and girls' restrooms. However, the final version of the bill defined "bathrooms" to include those designated for boys in order to provide transgender and non-binary students with access.
Oregon Rep Ricki Ruiz, D-Gresham, served as chief sponsor and consulted with students across Oregon and other states before expanding the bill, he said. “As we know, there’s a lot of our youth who don’t identify as female or male or are transitioning genders,” Ruiz said. “We wanted to respect that and make sure we provide these resources in all restrooms for folks who may be struggling to transition to a different restroom.” “I think, in general, we wanted to include all restrooms because we never know who might need to use them,” Ruiz said.
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Stritenberg's request to narrow Oregon law requires the Oregon Department of Education to acquire public feedback before making a decision. After receiving the petition, the department will respond within 90 days. Stritenberg stated that she is not speaking on behalf of her school board. Instead, she came forward in response to questions raised in her community.