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Academy District 20 board directs policy on athletics, locker rooms and overnight lodging; adopts resolution
Summary
After extended discussion about fairness, safety and conflicting legal guidance, the Academy District 20 Board unanimously adopted a resolution directing the superintendent to develop administrative policy limiting access to certain athletic programs, locker rooms, facilities and overnight lodging room assignments to an individual’s biological gender assigned at birth.
The Academy District 20 Board on a unanimous roll-call vote adopted a resolution directing the superintendent and staff to develop administrative policy governing student participation in athletic programs, access to locker rooms and access to overnight lodging room assignments.
Board members who supported the resolution cited safety and fairness for female athletes. Director Payne said the measure was aimed at protecting girls' opportunities and safety: "I felt the duty to protect our girls in sports, and I felt that duty to happen before fall sports started." The board discussed CHASA bylaws, federal Title IX guidance and recent executive action as part of the legal context for the resolution.
Mister Alexander, who presented the district’s athletics operations and safety work, told the board that if the resolution were approved district staff could issue administrative changes quickly: "we can make that change within days, because of the communication channels we have in place," he said.
Superintendent Haber recommended that, if the resolution passed, staff and legal counsel draft the specific administrative policies for board review; she noted the district’s goal to have draft policy available before fall sports begin (the superintendent referenced August 4 as the start of the fall season).
The motion to approve the resolution was made by Director Kans and seconded; a roll-call vote recorded all present members voting in favor and the resolution passed.
Board members asked staff to incorporate explicit language on overnight lodging and administrative implementation in the language they will bring back as a proposed policy for board review.
