Saratoga Springs (N.Y.) City School District is the latest district to come under fire from the Department of Education for its transgender athlete policy. After reaffirming a resolution titled “Affirming Our Support for Every Student” in March, congresswoman Elise Stefanik this week blew the whistle, requesting that the Office for Civil Rights investigate the district’s Title IX violations.
According to ABC News 10, the SSCSD Board of Education’s resolution stated the district would “guarantee transgender and gender-expansive students the right to use facilities and participate in activities and sports consistent with their gender identity.”
Related: Investigation of Trans Athlete Policy Requested In Delaware, Where No Known Trans Athletes Exist
The March resolution reaffirms the district’s DEI policy, and “appears to be a clear attempt to combat several Trump administration policies.” It was passed by a vote of seven to one. While several community members were present at the vote to voice their opinions, including one transgender student, it is not clear if there are any transgender students currently competing on sports teams in Saratoga Springs schools.
Following the DOE’s announcement that it would be investigating the matter, the school district released a statement. “The Saratoga Springs City School District will work closely with the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights in providing the information that has been requested,” said the district. “The district adheres to all applicable laws and regulations. Additionally, the district’s practices align with joint guidance issued in February 2025 by the New York State Education Department and the New York State Office of the Attorney General. The district remains committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environment for every student. We are confident that our district’s policies are fully in compliance with New York State law.”
Related: School Board Files Title IX Complaint Against Washington State’s Trans Student-Athlete Policy
While SSCSD is confident that it is in compliance with the state law, the Office for Civil Rights already has a long list of concerns, including the district’s policies regarding “male and female student sports,” locker room access, team rosters and “a clarification of the district’s policy on the definition and meaning of the words ‘sex,’ ‘gender’ and ‘gender identity.’”
Congresswoman Stefanik, who brought the DOE’s attention to SSCSD, shared her grievances with the district’s policies. “The Saratoga Springs School Board’s resolution allowing biological males to participate in girls’ sports and access girls’ locker rooms is a blatant violation of federal law under Title IX and an affront to the progress generations of women have fought to achieve,” Stefanik said. “I remain steadfast in my commitment to fighting for the rights and futures of our young women, and I am proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with President Trump in this important effort.”
