Dozens of local school board members across Minnesota have signed an open letter urging state education officials to comply with federal Title IX regulations. This action follows a Notice of Violation issued by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, which found that state policies on transgender athlete participation in female sports are discriminatory and violate federal law.
Key Takeaways
- Federal agencies issued a Notice of Violation to the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) for non-compliance with Title IX.
- The violation concerns policies that allow biological males to compete in female sports and access female-only facilities.
- Over 20 local school board members signed an open letter supporting a federal resolution to correct the violations.
- Minnesota risks losing billions in federal education funding if the state remains non-compliant.
- The letter argues current state policies compromise the safety, privacy, and opportunities of female student-athletes.
Federal Government Issues Title IX Violation Notice
On September 30th, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) formally notified Minnesota officials of significant Title IX violations. The letter was addressed to key state leaders, including Minnesota Education Commissioner Willie Jett, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Executive Director Erich Martens.
The federal investigation concluded that policies maintained by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and the MSHSL are out of step with federal law. Specifically, the OCR found that allowing athletes who are biologically male to participate in sports designated for females constitutes a violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
The notice alleges that these policies deny equal athletic opportunities to female athletes. It states that biological male athletes possess inherent physical advantages that can displace female athletes from competitive placements, awards, and opportunities for advancement. This, the OCR argues, undermines the foundational purpose of Title IX, which was enacted to ensure fairness and protect opportunities in women's sports.
Understanding Title IX
Title IX is a federal civil rights law passed in 1972. It states: "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance." While it applies to many areas of education, it is most known for its impact on athletics, mandating equal opportunities for male and female students.
School Board Members Demand State Action
In response to the federal notice, a coalition of nearly two dozen school board members from various Minnesota districts has publicly called for immediate action. They co-signed an open letter expressing their strong support for the resolution agreement offered by the federal agencies to remedy the violations.
The proposed agreement requires the state and its school districts to develop and implement specific plans to address the issue. These plans must outline concrete actions to correct the current non-compliance and detail preventative measures to ensure similar violations do not occur in the future.
The signatories of the letter emphasize the need for clear and decisive leadership from the state. They argue that local school districts have been left to navigate a complex and contentious issue without adequate guidance, creating confusion and potential legal risks. The letter states that the current policies negatively impact girls' sports and create legitimate concerns about the privacy and safety of female students.
Billions in Federal Funding at Risk
Continued non-compliance with Title IX could have severe financial consequences for Minnesota's education system. According to records, the Minnesota Department of Education received approximately $2.96 billion from the U.S. Department of Education and over $11.9 million from the Department of Health and Human Services in fiscal year 2024. This federal assistance is contingent on adherence to federal laws, including Title IX.
The Core of the Dispute
The central conflict revolves around the interpretation of "sex" under Title IX. The federal notice and the school board members' letter operate under the interpretation that the law protects opportunities based on biological sex. They argue that this framework is essential for maintaining a level playing field in athletics.
"The members who signed on are expressing strong support for accepting the resolution agreement...The letter warns that continued noncompliance risks jeopardizing federal financial assistance for schools across Minnesota."
The letter from the school board members highlights what they see as the direct consequences of current MDE and MSHSL policies. They contend that these policies are not only unfair from a competitive standpoint but also infringe upon the rights of female students to have their own dedicated spaces, such as locker rooms and restrooms.
By urging state officials to accept the federal resolution, the board members hope to restore what they consider the original intent of Title IX and provide a clear, legally sound policy for all school districts to follow. This would remove the burden from individual districts and align the state with federal requirements, thereby securing crucial funding.
Local Leaders Call for Change
The open letter includes signatories from a wide range of school districts in central Minnesota, indicating a coordinated effort among local officials to influence state policy. The members believe that a unified voice is necessary to prompt a response from state leaders who have, until now, maintained the challenged policies.
The list of school board members who have signed the letter includes:
- Becker: Connie Robinson
- Big Lake: Lenette Brown, Chelsey Hancock, Derek Nelson, Ashley Schabilion
- Eden Valley-Watkins: Christina DeRose
- Holdingford: Ed Feia, Rob Knettel, Lori Opatz
- Melrose: Josh Thieschaefer
- Monticello: Mark Branson, Melissa Curtis, Casey Root, Jamie Sieben
- Royalton: Lucas Boyd, Ellie Holm, Maria Traut
- Sartell-St. Stephen: Emily Larson, Jen Smith
- Sauk Rapids-Rice: Dan Johnson, Lisa Liodolt
- St. Cloud: Al Dahlgren
This collective action underscores the growing pressure on the MDE and MSHSL to revise their guidelines. The board members are advocating for a return to policies that they believe protect fair competition and the rights of female students, aligning Minnesota with the federal government's interpretation of Title IX and safeguarding billions in educational funding.
