The U.S. Department of Education has opened a Title IX investigation over a Connecticut school district's policy that allows transgender students to transgender students compete in athletics and use bathroom and locker room facilities in accord with their gender identity.
According to NBC Connecticut, the Cromwell Board of Education voted on Tuesday to table action regarding the Title IX investigation directed by the DOE.
Cromwell is at risk of losing $1 million in funding as a result of the investigation.
Mayor James Demetriades said the district follows all applicable state and federal laws and rules, but the DOE maintains that Cromwell's policy, which allows transgender students to compete in athletics in accordance with their gender identity is in violation of federal law.
“The federal government is targeting transgender students in an attempt to divide our community," Demetriades said.
The Cromwell Board of Education said they tabled the matter because board members needed more information to evaluate the situation.
“We remain steadfast in supporting all of our students and are committed to upholding policies that prohibit discrimination or harassment on the basis of one's actual or perceived membership in a protected class,” Kelleher said.
