PETERBOROUGH, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) A federal civil rights investigation is underway in the Contoocook Valley School District following allegations that its policies on restroom and locker room use may violate Title IX.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights confirmed it has opened the inquiry to determine whether the district’s approach to student access to facilities constitutes discrimination based on sex. Officials stressed that the investigation is preliminary and does not indicate any findings at this stage.

Complaint stems from parent concern

The case traces back to 2024, when a parent raised concerns after a transgender student used a girls’ locker room at one of the district’s schools. The parent expressed discomfort with the situation, questioning whether existing policies adequately addressed student privacy in spaces where students expect a degree of seclusion.

School administrators at the time pointed to state law supporting access based on gender identity and indicated that while alternative arrangements could be offered to students who felt uneasy, the district would not require the transgender student to use a different space.

Federal review focuses on Title IX compliance

The complaint, filed in 2025, argues that the district’s policies may conflict with Title IX, the federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in education programs receiving federal funding. Investigators will examine whether allowing access based on gender identity impacts the rights of other students under current federal interpretations of the law.

The timing of the investigation comes amid shifting federal guidance on how Title IX applies to transgender students, prompting school districts across the country to reassess their policies.

District responds cautiously

Superintendent Ann Forrest said the district learned of the investigation this week and is reviewing the allegations. In a written response, she emphasized that the district aims to follow both state and federal anti-discrimination requirements and maintains policies intended to prevent and address discrimination.

She declined to comment on whether any policy changes have been made since the original complaint, citing the ongoing nature of the review and the need to protect student privacy.

Legal questions remain

Legal observers note that cases like this can be complex. While federal law allows for separate facilities for male and female students, those facilities must offer equal access and comparable conditions. Whether the district’s policy meets that standard could be a key question as the investigation unfolds.

Part of broader debate

The issue comes amid ongoing debate in New Hampshire and nationwide over how schools should balance protections for transgender students with concerns about privacy in sex-segregated spaces. Recent efforts to change state law on the issue have been vetoed, leaving existing policies in place for now.

Federal officials have not indicated how long the investigation will take or what actions could follow.