Chino Valley Unified directs superintendent to file federal complaints, adopts resolutions backing Title IX and public-safety bill

Chino Valley Unified School District Board President Sonia Shaw and the five-member board voted unanimously Thursday to direct the superintendent to file two federal complaints and to adopt resolutions backing Title IX protections for girls in school athletics and a bill to strengthen prosecution of threats against schools and places of worship.

The actions, taken after more than two hours of public comment and extended board discussion, include directing the superintendent to file: (1) a formal complaint to the U.S. Department of Education, and (2) a Title IX complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights against California Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Education. The board also adopted Resolution 2024–2025–563 “supporting Title IX and fairness in girls interscholastic sports” and Resolution 2024–2025–564 supporting SB 19, the “Safe Schools in Places of Worship Act.” Each motion passed 5–0.

Why it matters: Board members said the measures respond to what they described as a conflict between state law and the board’s policies on parental notification and student safety, particularly as those policies relate to participation by transgender students in girls’ athletics and access to restrooms and locker rooms. Supporters argued the steps seek federal review of state actions; opponents who spoke during public comment said the measures would harm transgender students and inflame community divisions.

Board action and debate

At the start of the item directing a federal complaint, a board member who introduced the motion described the district’s prior legal work on parental-notification policies and said, “Parents have a constitutional right,” noting the district had relied on outside counsel in earlier litigation. The motion to file the first federal complaint was moved by the board member identified in the record as Mr. Naugh and seconded by Mr. Cervantes; the board president called the question and the motion carried 5–0.

The second complaint — described in the agenda as a Title IX complaint against Gov. Newsom and the California Department of Education — was moved by Mr. Cruz and seconded by Mr. Cervantes. After discussion the board approved that motion 5–0.

Board members framed the votes around safety, fairness and competitive equity. Trustee Monroe said the intent was not hostility but “how do our children go forward and compete in safety, equity, and fairness?” and argued male-to-female participation in women’s sports cannot meet those standards. He summarized performance gaps between top female and male athletes as evidence of that view.

President Sonia Shaw, who led portions of the discussion, said she brought the resolutions so the district could take a stand while the larger legal fight plays out at the state level. “My job here is to protect our girls and our boys,” she said, adding that state law limits what local districts can do and that the board was therefore seeking federal intervention.

Public comment

The meeting’s public comment period ran long and was dominated by opposing views. Supporters of the board’s measures said Title IX was created to protect girls and urged the board to act to preserve girls’ locker-room privacy and competitive fairness. Former collegiate athlete Sophia Lohrey told the board “Title IX was created to protect girls, not to erase us.” Ayala High School track athlete Isabel Salazar said competing against male athletes is “unfair and shouldn’t be allowed.” Other speakers urged the board to protect transgender students and cautioned that the district’s actions would cause harm and legal exposure; a representative of the Inland Empire Prism Collective said defending transgender students is the way to “protect all students regardless of identity.”

Legal and policy context

Speakers referenced Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and state-level guidance; board members repeatedly cited prior litigation and a district parental-notification policy. The board asked the superintendent to pursue federal review; the board did not itself impose operational changes to student-assignment or locker-room rules during the meeting.

What the motions said (summary)

- Federal complaint (agenda item 2A1): Board directed the superintendent to file a formal complaint to the U.S. Department of Education and (as recorded) to President Trump’s administration, citing alleged California violations of parental rights and student protections. Motion moved by Mr. Naugh, seconded by Mr. Cervantes, approved 5–0. - Title IX complaint (agenda item 2A2): Board directed the superintendent to file a formal Title IX complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights against Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Education for alleged Title IX violations related to student safety, athletics and restroom/locker-room privacy. Motion moved by Mr. Cruz, seconded by Mr. Cervantes, approved 5–0. - Resolution supporting Title IX fairness (agenda item 2A3): Board adopted Resolution 2024–2025–563 supporting Title IX protections and fairness in girls’ interscholastic sports. Motion moved by Mr. Cervantes, seconded by Mr. Monroe, approved 5–0. - Resolution supporting SB 19 (agenda item 2A4): Board adopted Resolution 2024–2025–564 supporting SB 19, the Safe Schools in Places of Worship Act, after discussion about law-enforcement needs to quickly identify threats on social platforms. Motion moved by Mr. Cruz, seconded by Mr. Cervantes, approved 5–0.

Ending

Board members said the measures mark the start of a longer legal and political struggle. The board paused briefly after adopting the resolutions and scheduled follow-up work; the superintendent and legal counsel will carry the filings and any ensuing correspondence with federal officials. The votes were unanimous on each item.