School district in CA passes resolution supporting ban on boys in girls' sports, defying state law

(The Center Square) - Redlands Unified School District in California adopted a resolution Tuesday night supporting a ban on boys from playing in girls’ sports, conflicting with state guidance but in accordance with federal rules.

RUSD’s resolution mirrored one adopted last week by Chino Valley Unified School District, which has prominently challenged state policies regarding children who identify as the opposite gender.

The Redlands resolution, titled “Supporting Title IX and Fairness in Girls’ Interscholastic Sports,” invoked Title IX, which was enacted in part to ensure schools receiving federal funding support girls’ sports.

“Title IX of the federal Education Amendments of 1972 was enacted to prohibit sex-based discrimination in any educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance, ensuring that female athletes have equal opportunities to participate and succeed in sports,” said the RUSD resolution. “Biological differences between male and female athletes can create inherent advantages in competitive sports, particularly in categories designated specifically for girls.”

The resolution stated RUSD “strongly supports Title IX and calls upon athletic governing bodies to uphold its protections by ensuring fairness and equal opportunities in girls’ sports,” and passed by a narrow 3-2 vote.

Last week, CVUSD not only passed a resolution in support of girls’ sports, but voted to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights against California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Education.

CVUSD’s complaint says California violates Title IX by “promoting state-mandated directives that undermine fairness in athletics and compromise safety in restrooms and locker rooms,” “contradict the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) by allowing schools to withhold vital student information from parents,” and “trample” parents’ constitutional rights.

Last year, Newsom signed AB 1955 into law, which bans schools from disclosing children's’ gender identities to their parents. The U.S. Department of Education is investigating the California Department of Education for the law, which it says violates FERPA.

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond has stood by the state’s policies issuing a letter standing by state law.

“In California, ‘all’ still means all. While the Trump Education Department announced that they will no longer protect all students from discrimination, California law is unaffected by recent changes to federal policy and continues to provide safeguards against discrimination and harassment based on gender, gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation,” wrote Thurmond. “While federal guidance devolves, our commitment to safeguarding the rights of all students persists.”