The U.S. Education Agency says the Department of Justice could begin enforcement proceedings, saying it did not rule out boys and men from women’s sports.
The U.S. Department of Education issued a final warning to Maine, telling them to agree to protect women’s sports or to suffer cuts in federal funds.
On Monday, the OCR informed Maine that “unless we sign a resolution agreement by April 11, OCR will introduce the issue to the DOJ (Doctor of Justice) for a lawsuit that could result in the termination of MDOE’s federal education funds.”
The investigation was launched by the Civil Rights Office on February 21st.
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Allowing men to compete with women in sporting events is “a sleazy, unfair and dangerous for women and girls, equally denies opportunities for women and girls to participate in competitive sports and excel.”
Commenting on the final warning letter to the MDOE, the Department of Education’s Deputy Director of Civil Rights Craig’s Trainers said the Maine Education Department’s “indifference to past, present and future female athletes is surprising.”
“By refusing to comply with Title IX, MDOE allows competitors to threaten the safety of female athletes, accidentally win the hard-earned admiration of girls, and to encourage and encourage their competitors to deny equal opportunities for women in educational activities guaranteed under Title IX.
On February 21, Maine Governor Janet Mills said her state “will not be threatened by the president’s threat.”
If federal funds are cut, her administration will “take all appropriate and necessary legal action to restore that fund,” she said at the time.
MDOE crackdown
A March 19 letter from the Civil Rights Office to the MDOE outlined some of the measures the state must take.
The MDOE must instruct all public school districts to comply with Title IX.
The directive must state that Title IX compliance requires schools to “prohibit men from participating in any athletic programs or accessing locker rooms or bathrooms designated for women.”
The terms “man” and “woman” must be understood in the context of only two genders, the letter stated.
The investigation follows reports that dozens of school districts across the state are violating parental rights.
District policies allow schools to create “gender plans” that support students’ transgender identities. The district argues that these plans are not educational records under the FERPA and therefore cannot be accessed by parents.
“Parents and guardians have the right to access their children’s educational records to guide and protect their children’s mental, emotional and physical well-being. Opposition policies are illegal and immoral,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.
“Maine teachers and school counselors reportedly encourage and support students in the so-called “gender transition” while keeping their parents in the dark. The Trump administration will enforce all federal laws to protect students and families. ”
