Parent requests Title IX "Save Girls Sports" resolution after Beckman match

A Tustin Unified stakeholder asked the school board to consider a resolution on girls' athletics after an Oct. 6 added volleyball match at Beckman High.

Amy Connolly, who identified herself as a former parent and employee and a current long-term stakeholder in TUSD, told the board she was concerned about "fairness and safety" and said the visiting team "currently have a biological male on the team." Connolly said she had prepared a written request and asked the board to place a "Title IX Save Girls Sports" resolution on the Nov. 17 board agenda. She cited California Government Code section 54954.3 and Education Code section 35145.1 as the authorities under which members of the public may ask that matters be placed on a regular meeting agenda.

"I request that the Title IX Save Girls Sports resolution be placed as an item for a vote on your meeting agenda on November 17," Connolly said and handed copies of the request to staff.

Board members did not take immediate action on the request during the meeting; the item was submitted as a public-requested agenda placement rather than a staff-initiated or board-sponsored motion. The board did not express a vote on the substance of Connolly's request during the meeting.

The district did not offer a response to Connolly during public comment. No board member presented a motion to refer the request to staff for analysis during the meeting. The speaker's written materials were accepted as part of public comment.

Because Connolly's request cites statutory agenda-rights provisions, the board will need to follow its established agenda rules and the Brown Act procedures if it places the item on a future agenda.