Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Citizens To Be Heard Swimming topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Swim masters urge Northside to allow local adult swimmers to opt out of USMS membership after nationals controversy
Summary
Several Alamo Area Masters swimmers told the trustees that the district-run natatorium is enforcing U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS) transgender eligibility rules for masters competition and practices, and asked to be allowed to participate in the district—s masters program without joining USMS or to be allowed to register locally without paying USMS.
Multiple adult swimmers addressed the Northside Board of Trustees during the Citizens to Be Heard segment on Aug. 26, urging district leaders to permit local master swimmers to continue practicing at the Northside Natatorium without being required to join U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS) after controversial mixed-sex competition at a USMS national meet hosted at the district facility.
Rita Kellogg, who identified herself as an Alamo Area Masters Swimming member, said NISD administrators told masters swimmers in late July that USMS membership requirements would be enforced starting Sept. 1 and that masters athletes who objected would have to stop participating. She said swim competitors at a spring national meet at the Northside Natatorium included a person she described as a biological male swimming in a women—s division, and she asked the board either to let local masters continue to practice under NISD-only registration and insurance or to allow local registration without USMS dues.
Or Greenwald and Angela Monzo (spelled "Manzo" in some meeting audio) — both of whom said they compete with the masters program — echoed concerns about fairness, insurance requirements and the national policy under legal challenge. Greenwald urged the board to allow masters who object to USMS policy to keep swimming without joining the national organization while legal challenges proceed. Monzo told trustees she volunteered during the nationals event and had not been warned that a male competitor would race in women—s events.
Board response and next steps: Trustees and staff acknowledged the speakers and said district staff would follow up. The board chair said staff had "a lot of questions" and would provide answers; later in the meeting trustees confirmed they would follow up with the presenters.
Why it matters: The comments raise a dispute over whether a district-run adult fitness program must require national membership when a third-party organization provides the event insurance and competition structure. Speakers argued the district could provide local coverage and let members opt out of the national organization; staff said they would investigate and respond.
What the speakers asked for: Rita Kellogg asked the board to allow masters swimmers to practice with their regular teammates and coaches without being forced to join USMS or, failing that, to permit independent registration with NISD payment without USMS dues. She requested a written board response within 10 business days. Trustees said staff would follow up.
