North Kingstown School Committee votes to remove district Title IX language after federal court changes; trustees and community clash during public comment

The North Kingstown School Committee voted Feb. 11 to delete the district's 2008/2009 Title IX policy (ACD) and revert to an earlier version at the recommendation of district legal counsel following a recent federal court ruling.

Why it matters: Dozens of speakers at the meeting urged the committee to publicly reaffirm protections for transgender and LGBTQ+ students after national changes in the federal interpretation of Title IX. Committee members said state law continues to prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and they had been advised legally that district policy needed revision to align with federal decisions.

The vote followed a lengthy public-comment period in which parents, students and educators spoke about safety and school climate. Jesse Friedman, a former adjunct professor and parent, asked the committee for "a clear and unequivocal statement affirming that this district will continue to uphold Rhode Island state laws and protections for transgender...students regardless of federal rollbacks." Lehi Zeta Adamonis, a junior at North Kingstown High School who identified themself as transgender, said the prospect of Title IX protections changing had "instilled a sense of existential dread" and appealed for continued protections and support from the school committee.

Other speakers including teachers and parents described counseling, student supports and curriculum changes that they said had created safer school climates. Josh Zarin, a high-school German teacher and adviser to the school's SAGA (sexuality and gender alliance), described federal shifts as leaving LGBTQ+ students "vulnerable at the national level" and urged the committee to keep district anti-harassment policies strong.

Committee and administration responses: Committee Chair Jennifer Lima and other members repeatedly told speakers the policy change was prompted by legal advice after a U.S. district court decision vacated a previous federal interpretation. Chair Lima said: "This policy is being recommended for deletion based on changes in federal law... Rhode Island still has state law and we still have district law that still provide the same protections to the students that were in place before today." Board members acknowledged they had not initiated the change and emphasized that the district planned to continue state- and district-level protections.

The action: The committee moved to delete policy ACD and revert to the prior ACD text (action moved by motion on the floor; mover/second not specified on the record) and the motion was approved by voice vote. The chair took time before and after the vote to address students and families and to say the committee would work to ensure supportive school environments despite the federal changes.

What the meeting record shows and what it does not: The record shows the committee followed legal counsel's recommendation and voted to delete the specified policy language at the meeting. The committee did not adopt a new district policy text at that meeting; the vote removed the more recent Title IX reference and returned the district to the prior ACD language pending any further legal developments. The transcript does not show a new, separate formal written statement from the committee that reaffirms district practices beyond members' verbal reassurances during the meeting.

Looking ahead: Committee members said they would monitor pending executive orders and litigation and make further decisions as legal clarity emerges. Several speakers asked the committee to adopt stronger local protections beyond the federal baseline; administration and committee members said they intend to continue enforcing state law and district anti-harassment rules.

Votes at a glance: The committee approved deletion of the referenced ACD language and reverting to the prior ACD policy text (motion carried by voice vote; mover/second not specified in the public record).