According to WISTV, a local news outlet, the district has received special permission from Anna’s biological parents in order to try and clear up some of the allegations being put against them.

The district has issued statements that Anna is actually no where near eligible for graduation. While Foster claims that she enrolled as a Junior in August of 2015, and eligible for early graduation this year- her officials transcript shows that she has completed less than 25% of her required coursework for graduation. Currently she sits at 4.5 credits out of 24 total credits needed, technically slating her as a freshman.

Before official consent was given from the biological parents, the district did issue a press release that gave what information they were legally allowed at the time, stating in fact she was only a freshman.

The Lexington County School District has went on to state that her suspension and possible expulsion have nothing to do with bathroom usage but rather a turbulent behavioral record which saw her largely refuse to attend class.

“In fact, on Tuesday, March 1, 2016, due to her continued refusal to attend class, administrators held a special review meeting with her and placed her on probation,” the district said. “Most recently, on Thursday, April 28, 2016, she was suspended and recommended for expulsion — again, for refusing to attend class.”

Regarding the bathroom issue, a spokesperson for the district revealed that Anna has been given a special pass that gives her permission to be late to any class or function so that she has time to use the restroom.

An unnamed source, close to the issue, disclosed to TOL how disruptive these proceedings have been to the school and that they have jeopardized several individuals jobs.

According to WIST, Foster’s supporters have asked several Midlands lawmakers to intervene. We spoke to a couple of them, and one, Lexington Sen. Katrina Shealy said she’s willing to step in to battle for Anna’s rights. But based on what she knows right now, Shealy says “there’s no fight to be had.”

While this still doesn’t respond to some of the claims of harassment from teachers, or other school treatment- and certainly doesn’t approach the issue of only allowing a trans student to use one remote bathroom; these facts do shine a new light on the case.

As of this writing, Anna Foster has reached out to TOL to talk but we have been unable to connect yet. We hope to get her response soon.

Editor’s note- We certainly don’t want to take away from the bathroom argument, in that it is ridiculous to assign trans students separate facilities, but it is important that we present all facts as we get them so that we can present a clear and fair picture that doesn’t damage the transgender community’s credibility in any way.

One such person is Anna Foster, a transgender student at White Knoll High School in Lexington, South Carolina. Just two days before prom and five weeks before graduation, Anna has been suspended and is facing possible expulsion for using the “wrong” bathroom.

According to the petition currently up at Change.org

Anna was told that she cannot use the boy’s restroom because it would make the boy’s uncomfortable. But using the girl’s restroom would also make the girls uncomfortable, so they told her she could use the one nurse’s restroom. That restroom is located in the East building. Anna’s class when she used the girl’s restroom was in the North building. There are no concessions for Anna should she need to use the restroom between classes. Meaning, they will discipline her for being tardy if she has to make the trip to the East building to relieve herself, then head to class in the North building.

Anna, who turns 18 on June 29th, has faced a very rough situation leading up to this; one that only complicates the current events. Currently, she lives with the Volk family- Mike Volk explains:

One of the factors that makes this issue so challenging is that the student, who is 17 and turns 18 on June 29th, is that she was recently kicked out of her foster home and moved in with us just two weeks ago. She is not supposed to have contact with her birth mother, and because of her age, her DSS case worker is not willing to assist. We want to do all we can to help but we are limited since we are not legal guardians.

What makes this all the more pressing is that Anna has already been accepted into college for the fall semester and these events could have sever repercussions for her academically and professionally. Mike Volk is hoping to find some a solution.

She has been accepted into college starting in the fall. This action by the school is going to have a major impact on her professional and academic career. Again we are hoping that your attention to this matter will cause the district to reconsider the expulsion and allow Anna to finish the last 5 weeks of school with her classmates.

The family has reached out to local news outlets ABC Columbia, WIS TV, WACH FOX, WLTX News19 and The State Newspaper, but have not yet heard back. So we would ask that you please share this important story to boost the signal.

There is a petition currently at Change.org to urge the school district to reverse the suspension and keep Anna from facing expulsion. You can read and sign the petition here.