Academy District 20 board adopts resolution limiting access to athletics, locker rooms and overnight lodging to biological gender assigned at birth

The Academy School District No. 20 Board of Education on a unanimous roll call vote approved a resolution directing the superintendent to develop administrative policy that limits participation in athletic programs, access to locker rooms and overnight lodging room assignments to individuals of the biological gender assigned at birth.

Board President Shandy introduced the item and asked for discussion before the vote. Director Kans moved to approve the resolution; Director Wilburn seconded. The roll call vote was recorded as: Vice President Kans — Aye; Director Wilburn — Aye; Director Yanez — Aye; Director Payne — Aye; President Shandy — Aye.

The resolution, numbered in the meeting materials as 245-25, directs the superintendent to produce administrative policy implementing three numbered components in the board packet: (1) participation in interscholastic or extracurricular athletics designated for biological gender assigned at birth; (2) access to locker rooms, changing rooms, restrooms and facilities limited by biological gender assigned at birth; and (3) access to lodging and overnight accommodation room assignments limited to individuals of their biological gender assigned at birth. The text read into the record included the sentence: “This policy is enacted to uphold the privacy, comfort, and safety of all students.”

Why it matters: Board members and staff framed the action as an effort to protect safety and fairness for female athletes, to give parents, coaches and students clarity in advance of fall sports, and to align District 20 practice with the board’s reading of recent federal guidance and state-level uncertainty. Director Payne and other board members said they wanted the policy in place before the fall sports season begins so teams and families have clear expectations.

Discussion highlights - Several board members cited recent statewide and national disputes over transgender participation in girls’ sports and cited specific incidents reported in the media. Director Wilburn summarized national headlines to illustrate the board’s safety and fairness concerns. - District staff and the district athletics director, identified in the meeting as Mr. Alexander, described existing safety measures used in the district: voluntary student surveys for athletic participants, use of temperature monitoring devices by athletic trainers, helmet replacement programs, and procedures for overnight trips and exemptions. Alexander emphasized that some sports are designated “coed” under CHASA rules and that existing operational practice already provides single-user facilities and other accommodations for students who need them. - The board discussed CHASA (Colorado High School Activities Association) bylaws, several specific bylaw citations, Title IX and a recent federal executive order and related federal enforcement teams (the transcript references a “Title IX sit team”). Director Kans and others said they had sought clarification from CHASA leadership; meeting comments quoted CHASA staff as saying the association is seeking judicial clarity. - Board members debated scope and wording. Some directors proposed adding lodging/overnight language; the board added a clause expressly covering “access to lodging and overnight accommodation room assignments.” The board also discussed whether to name boys’ and girls’ teams specifically or to use the phrase “athletic programs designated for their biological gender as assigned at birth.” Legal counsel recommended the latter wording for the resolution.

What the resolution directs next - The resolution directs the superintendent to develop and implement administrative policy (with legal review) implementing the resolution’s directives. Board members discussed returning a draft policy for review before fall sports begin; the superintendent indicated staff would aim to have a draft for board review in July so implementation could occur before the August start of fall athletics.

Limits and context - District staff repeatedly noted that CHASA bylaws and state and federal law are in tension and that some CHASA provisions are not consistently enforced. Several speakers (including Superintendent Haber and Mr. Alexander) said CHASA staff have told districts they are seeking judicial guidance. The board did not purport to resolve those larger statutory or bylaw conflicts; the resolution instructs the superintendent to prepare local administrative policy.

The board’s action ends with a directive for the superintendent and legal staff to draft an administrative policy consistent with the resolution and bring that draft back to the board for review and adoption.

Ending: The resolution passed unanimously by roll call. Board members scheduled follow-up work to produce draft administrative policy prior to the district’s fall sports season so schools, coaches and families would have clearer operational guidance.