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Winthrop board directs policy committee to draft Title IX–related policy language after legal briefings
Summary
After hearing two legal opinions in executive session, a board member moved that the superintendent align district policies with the original intent of Title IX — including sex-designated private spaces and sex-separated athletics — prompting debate over conflicts with state guidance and athletic association rules. The board amended the motion to send draft policy language to the policy committee for first reading by May 6; the amendment carried unanimously.
A motion to direct the superintendent to amend district policies to align with what a board member called the "original intent" of Title IX set off a lengthy discussion at Tuesday’s Winthrop School Board meeting about conflicting legal advice, athletic association rules and the timing for policy changes.
Board member Tim read a motion directing the superintendent to "assist the board in amending all district policies to align with the original intent of Title IX passed by Congress in 1972," require sex-designated private spaces ("bathrooms, locker rooms, and overnight accommodations"), require "all applicable athletic teams to be separated by sex," and provide written notice to the public. Tim asked for implementation by the next board meeting.
Several board members and the superintendent cautioned that two legal opinions obtained during the executive session had reached different conclusions, and that the district must consider state law and Maine Principals Association (MPA) rules before taking steps that could trigger litigation. "I have concerns that like two legal opinions have suggested something else," said the superintendent, expressing caution about moving immediately to adopt the motion's directives.
Joel Stonton, who answered board questions about athletics, said district programs must account for MPA rules and that a school choosing to restrict participation must still declare which teams they field and whether they will remain eligible for MPA tournaments: "If you want to participate in an MPA tournament or not. You can do whatever you want with local sports in your buildings. It's just if you want to continue on to the next level, be part of [MPA competitions]," he explained.
Given the complexity, the board amended the original motion to instruct the policy committee to research and draft policy language and bring it back for first reading by the May 6 school-board meeting. The amended motion passed unanimously.
What happens next: The policy committee will draft policy language on sex-designated private spaces and athletics alignment, informed by state guidance and association rules, and present it for board review with at least one reading by May 6.
