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After discussion on transgender‑eligibility rules, board renews MHSAA membership
Summary
The board voted to renew the district's membership in the Michigan High School Athletic Association after a discussion clarifying that the membership vote does not change MHSAA policies on transgender athlete participation and that MHSAA considers eligibility for postseason tournaments on a case‑by‑case basis.
The Forest Hills Board of Education voted to renew its Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) membership at its May 18 meeting after a discussion about how eligibility for transgender students is handled.
A board member asked how MHSAA addresses cases when a transgender student requests to participate in girls' sports under the association's guidelines. Superintendent Kirby explained that MHSAA has an established process that typically starts at the local district level and that the district recommends whether to forward a student for MHSAA consideration. MHSAA's executive director makes final postseason eligibility determinations on a case‑by‑case basis and the process can include review of school registration gender records, health or medical records, and documented evidence of hormone therapy or gender‑affirming surgery where applicable.
The superintendent emphasized to the board that a vote to renew membership is a vote to maintain student eligibility for postseason competition and is not a vote to adopt or change MHSAA rules. "This vote is not about...policies on transgender students participating in sports," a board member said. "A 'no' vote would eliminate eligibility for all students for postseason MHSAA events, not modify MHSAA policy."
The board proceeded with the membership renewal as part of the consent/roll‑call actions recorded in the meeting. No board motion to change local policy on athletic participation was made at the meeting.
