MSAD 52 board asks superintendent for legal opinions on policies limiting recognition to biological sex, adds athletics and private spaces to query

The MSAD 52 Board of Directors voted to ask the superintendent to request a legal opinion from district counsel and a second opinion from attorney Brandon Isaacson on the legal implications of changing district policies to recognize only biological male or biological female students, including whether schools may designate private spaces and athletic teams by biological sex.

The request follows an extended public comment period in which parents, students and educators urged opposite outcomes. The board framed the motion as a factual inquiry to counsel, not an immediate policy change.

The motion was made by board member Ashley (mover) and seconded by board member Anthony, and was amended during debate to explicitly include “designated private spaces in schools and athletic teams” before passing on a divided vote. The board chair said the answers are expected to be returned to the board at the next meeting for review.

Why it matters: The question ties district policy to state and federal civil-rights frameworks and could affect where students may be permitted to use restrooms or locker rooms and how sports teams are organized.…