North Carolina Father Sues School District Over Bathroom Policies

A father in North Carolina, Brandon Matthews, has taken legal action against his children’s school district, Cabarrus County Schools. Matthews is concerned about whether biological males are allowed to share restrooms with his fourth-grade daughter. This issue came to light after he requested information from the school principals in May, but did not receive a clear response.

According to his lawsuit, Matthews wants to be informed if a male student is allowed to use the same restroom as his children. He believes he has a constitutional right to this information, stating that without it, he cannot make informed decisions.

Brandon Matthews does not currently know whether a male is using his fourth-grade daughter’s bathroom, said Nicholas Barry, Matthews’ attorney from America First Legal Foundation. And does he have a constitutional right to know that? We say ‘yes’.

Matthews’ request came after a school board meeting on May 11, where he spoke out against mixed-gender bathrooms. He asked for measures to ensure bathrooms remain gender-specific. Matthews’ daughter also expressed her discomfort at the idea of boys accessing the girls’ bathroom.

The principals’ responses were vague, citing confidentiality of student information. They said Matthews could contact the school if he noticed specific situations affecting his daughter’s experience. Barry argues that this response was not satisfactory since Matthews was not asking for personal details of any student.

Matthews’ lawsuit demands the school district reveal its policies on restroom access. He also seeks a preliminary injunction that would require the schools to disclose whether members of the opposite sex are allowed to use facilities designated for his children’s gender.

Attorneys argue Matthews’ religious beliefs support the lawsuit, emphasizing that his children should not use facilities with members of the opposite sex. The case was filed in the Middle District of North Carolina, with Matthews represented by America First Legal Foundation and Philip Thomas.

At an April school board meeting, attorney William Isenhour stated that restroom access is addressed individually at each school, focusing on the concerns of students and families. Cabarrus County Schools was contacted by Fox News Digital for comments but did not immediately respond.

Matthews pursues this case to receive advance notice and opt-out options for his children. The lawsuit underscores the Supreme Court’s decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor, arguing that if parents have the right to be informed about LGBT instruction, they should also be informed about restroom policies.

This is the second lawsuit America First Legal has filed against Cabarrus County Schools, the first focusing on alleged instances at Cox Mill High School. Matthews’ case remains separate from those allegations, seeking transparency and policy disclosure rather than barring student access to facilities.