Seattle School Board authorizes potential legal action over transgender girls’ sports ban

The Seattle School Board authorized potential legal action over Initiative 638, which will bar transgender girls from competing in girls’ school sports.

At a special meeting Monday night, the board adopted Resolution No. 2026/27-11, allowing the district to hire legal counsel and pursue any action it deems necessary to protect students and the district’s interests, according to a news release from Seattle Public Schools (SPS).

“Our responsibility as a school board is to uphold the law and protect the students and families we serve,” Seattle School Board President Gina Topp said in a statement. “When a new law raises serious questions about how it interacts with existing laws and constitutional protections, we have a responsibility to seek clarity from the courts. This resolution gives the district the ability to seek appropriate legal action so we can meet our obligations to our students.”

Board says transgender girls’ sports ban conflicts with student protections

The board argued that the initiative could subject girls to scrutiny, verification, and privacy intrusions. It also said implementing the measure could create legal, operational, financial, and administrative burdens for public schools.

“Washington has important laws that protect student privacy, guarantee equal access to educational opportunities, and ensure students are treated fairly,” Seattle School Board member-at-large Joe Mizrahi said in a statement. “These laws reflect values our communities have fought for and overwhelmingly support.

“As Board Directors, we take an oath to uphold them,” Mizrahi continued. “Right now, we don’t see a way to implement Initiative 638 without violating those vital protections. We aren’t willing to simply disregard our other legal obligations, and that’s why we’re asking the courts to help resolve this conflict.”

The board previously opposed I-638 in a resolution adopted Sept. 23. Monday’s resolution reaffirmed that position and raised concerns about the initiative’s potential impact on student privacy, equal treatment, and access to school athletics.

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