School Board Files Title IX Complaint Against Washington State's Trans Student-Athlete Policy

The Kennewick (Wa.) School Board filed a federal Title IX complaint in an effort to force Washington state to comply with President Trump’s transgender student-athlete policy.

Currently, student-athletes in the state are allowed to compete on the teams that align with their gender identity. This policy is similar to other states, including Maine and Michigan, which have recently come under scrutiny. 

Related: Michigan Lawmakers Pass Resolution Pressuring MHSAA to Ban Trans Student-Athletes

The complaint targets the state, its superintendent Chris Reykdal and the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA).

According to OPB, Kennewick’s letter to the U.S. Department of Education described the need for an “urgent” investigation into the “open and egregious Title IX violations currently occurring within the state’s student athletics as well as requisite school district policies mandated by the state.”

The letter continued, “We are particularly concerned the openly discriminatory policies and mandates… not only directly harm our young women, but also jeopardize our district’s essential federal funding, the loss of which would most severely impact our most impoverished and at risk populations.” 

In response to Kennewick’s letter, the WIAA announced that it would not make any decisions or changes until receiving legal guidance. The WIAA has plans to vote on two proposals that would limit trans student-athlete participation. 

The letter and WIAA vote come just weeks after the Department of Education launched an investigation into Washington’s Tumwater School District. There, a transgender student-athlete allegedly plays on the girls’ basketball team, sparking outrage from some parents and students.

Related: OCR Launches Title IX Investigation Into Washington State School District

The Kennewick School Board said it is most concerned with the potential loss of federal funding if the state does not comply. Roughly 10% of Kennewick’s funding comes from federal dollars, and losing that income would be “absolutely devastating,” according to the school board. 

“Our school board now faces a serious dilemma: Either the Kennewick School District complies with state mandates that put our federal funding in jeopardy; or it complies with Executive Orders (that ensure protection of our girls and young women) and risks retaliation from Washington State Officials,” the board wrote. “This conflict threatens our ability to create a safe and non-discriminatory environment for our 18,000 students and infringes on both federal and local authority.”

However, superintendent Reykdal has continued to issue statements urging Washington’s school districts to comply with state law. He told The Reflector, “His office has continued to advise Washington’s school districts to stay in compliance with state law, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity,” he said. “An executive order is not law, and it does not override state law.”