Quilcene School Board Votes to Ban Transgender Athletes From Playing on the Team That Aligns With Their Gender
[caption id align="alignnone" width="1874"]
(L-R) Shona Davis, Jim Hodgson, Jon Cooke, and Vivann Kuehl at a meeting last month while they were discussing the resolution. Photo by Nhatt Nichols [/caption]
News by Nhatt Nichols
In a 3-2 vote on Wednesday, May 7, the Quilcene School Board voted in favor of adding a resolution that prevents trans students from playing on the sports team that aligns with their gender.
This has been a hotly contested issue at prior school board meetings, with teachers, students, and the school district’s lawyer speaking out against proposals that would effectively ban trans students from playing sports in Quilcene.
Curtis Leonard, the school district’s legal advisor, cautioned the board against enacting a resolution that violates state and federal law.
“OSPI [the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction] guidance, which is the state guidance in relation to the law and is related to the Washington law against discrimination, which offers protection and recognizes the protections based on gender identity, and has done so for a variety of years,” Leonard said before mentioning that its likely this decision will lead to litigation.
Quilcene School District currently has no students who identify as transgender. Board member Vivann Kuehl argued against the proposal, saying, “This is illegal. It takes up a lot of time. The people that we had here talking before were concerned about what's fair and what's safe.”
Kuehl went on to say that she looked into what experts considered fair and safe for kids, and she only found references to fairness in trans athletes winning individual sports, which Quilcene School District doesn’t have. “We have team sports. We have team sports on purpose. So people can learn to play as a team. So there's the fairness part of it,” Kuehl said. She addressed safety concerns by reminding the board that there is no requirement for students to use a public shower or changing room.
Title IX and discrimination in the schools
The resolution cites Title IX, a federal law that makes it illegal to discriminate on the basis of sex, as the impetus behind the resolution proposal. Title IX was overhauled during the Obama administration to prohibit discrimination based on gender as well. The Trump administration determined that the question of sex-segregated sports should be left to the states and local school districts to decide. However, its validity is being tested in federal courts.
The new Quilcene School District resolution states:
Resolution of the Quilcene School Board Regarding Athletic Participation in Accordance with Title IX
WHEREAS, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance, including athletics; and
WHEREAS, the intent of Title IX is to ensure that all students, regardless of sex, have equal opportunities to participate in educational programs, including sports, and that such programs are provided in a fair and equitable manner; and
WHEREAS, the Board acknowledges that there has been significant discussion regarding the eligibility of students based on sex for athletic participation; and
WHEREAS, the Board recognizes the importance of providing equal opportunities for all students while also ensuring that fair competition is maintained in athletic events; and
WHEREAS, the Board has a responsibility to uphold Title IX and ensure the fairness of interscholastic sports competitions within the school district; and
WHEREAS, the Board believes that to maintain fairness and equity in competition, biological males and biological females should compete in sports, categories corresponding to their biological sex at birth.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board intends the following for athletic participation:
1. Eligibility for Male Sports: Only biological males, as determined by their sex at birth, shall be permitted to compete in male sports categories. Biological males are eligible to participate in all sports traditionally designated for males at the school district level.
2. Eligibility for Female Sports: Only biological females, as determined by their sex at birth, shall be permitted to compete in female sports categories. Biological females are eligible to participate in all sports traditionally designated for females at the school district level.
3. Monitoring and Compliance: The Board will ensure that these beliefs are implemented effectively and in compliance with Title IX and all applicable state and federal regulations, with a commitment to promoting inclusivity, fairness, and equal opportunities for all student-athletes.
4. Periodic Review: This resolution will be reviewed annually by the Board, with input from students, parents, athletic staff, and legal advisors, to ensure that it continues to comply with federal and Title 9 that serves the best interests of all students.
RESOLVED FURTHER, that this resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption, will take necessary steps to implement the beliefs as outlined above.
Adopted on this 7th, day of May, 2025
The resolution passed with board members Ron Frantz, Jim Hodgson, and board chair Davis voting in favor, and members Jon Cooke and Kuehl voting against.
In the wake of an unpopular resolution, the school board election sees extra interest
This year, the seats Davis and Cooke currently occupy are being put to a vote. Davis has chosen not to run for reelection, and Richard Fitzgerald is running unopposed for her seat after Dana Nixon withdrew.
When asked by the Beacon why he’s chosed to run, Fitzgerald cited his extensive experience as a community leader “I've decided to run because I feel the children and the community deserve to be heard,” Fitzgerald said, citing his involvement with Olympic Angels, OlyCap, The Benji Project and other youth-focused organizaitons.
Naomi Stern is challenging incumbent Cooke for his second district seat. Cooke has not been a vocal opponent to either the trans athlete or bible curriculum debates, though he did vote against the latest resolution.
“I can’t help but observe the current state of affairs and division in our small district,” Stern said when asked why she was running. “I see a tremendous opportunity to be a uniting force for the good of the students. To refocus the attention back to the students and teachers again, as well as preserve (and hopefully grow) funding opportunities for our underserved district.” She also noted that she is a parent of children at Quilcene Elementary School and a volunteer in their classroom. “The kids of Quilcene are the future of this district, and they deserve the highest quality education we can provide them!”
Cooke cited his involvement in past board achievements as a reason for running again. “I have been a part of hiring our current Superintendent who is doing an admirable job. The District has also hired a K-12 principal last year who was a very good find for us,” Cooke said in a statement to the beacon, noting that, “Unlike common belief, it is not school board member's role to tell teachers or staff what their roles are, but to approve district policies, check financial and budgeting areas, and maintain a working relationship with our Superintendent.”
He also mentioned the importance of keeping the focus on students and preparing them for life after graduation.
Quilcene residents will have the opportunity to vote for their school board members in November, as there are not enough candidates running to warrant a primary race.
An earlier version of this article contained a copy of the resolution was taken from an audio transcript. It has been replaced with the official resolution.
