Central Valley School Board files additional Title IX amid trans student probe

The Central Valley School Board in Spokane has filed a Title IX complaint against Washington’s Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). The complaint comes despite an ongoing federal probe regarding transgender athletes. This places the school board among a growing number of districts challenging controversial state policies.

The complaint argues Washington’s gender policies may contradict federal law, according to The Spokesman-Review. A separate probe, announced last week, is investigating whether OSPI has violated federal statutes by encouraging transgender female students, referred to as biological males, to compete in girls’ sports.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon warned that such actions could infringe on parental rights and undermine equity in female athletics, both protected under federal law. However, State Superintendent Chris Reykdal has strongly rejected those allegations, characterizing the investigation as a political attempt to misuse anti-discrimination laws against transgender and gender-expansive youth.

Central Valley files letters during special session

Central Valley held a special school board meeting where members voted to file the complaint 3-2. Stephanie Jerdon, Pam Orebaugh, and Anneice Barker backed the decision, while Cindy McMullen and Tere Landa opposed it.

The complaint urges federal officials to specify whether school districts must follow state mandates or federal directives. It also demands assurance that Central Valley’s federal funding, which accounts for about 5% of its operating budget, will not be jeopardized for noncompliance with those policies.

This comes as Reykdal previously warned that defying state rules could endanger up to 78% of the district’s revenue.

Both sides of the debate

During the meeting, Barker highlighted the conflicting directives from the state and the federal government and emphasized the need for clearer federal guidance.

“There’s no such thing as a trans person; there are males and there are females,” Barker said. “Like I said in the last meeting, it does not matter how you dress. It does not matter how much medication you take or how many surgeries you have. You are born male or you are born female, and male and female bodies are different.”

McMullen opposed the complaint, arguing that it was unnecessary given the ongoing federal investigation and could be hurtful to transgender students. She expressed disappointment that all students weren’t being recognized for their individual worth and requested her name be removed from the list of signatories, according to The Spokesman-Review.

Orebaugh supported the board’s move, saying it helps spotlight the broader issue beyond districts already under federal scrutiny. She spoke about a recent example involving a transgender track athlete competing against Central Valley students, claiming it had impacted morale.

Lexi Shay, a transgender parent with children in the district, said the board’s actions send an unwelcoming message to trans students.

The Title IX investigation into OSPI remains ongoing.