Federal Title IX requirements rejected by Alexandria school district
In a significant development, Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) has refused to comply with federal demands to alter its policies allowing transgender students to use facilities matching their gender identity. This decision comes after a complaint was filed by the conservative legal group, America First Legal.
The U.S. Department of Education had given five Northern Virginia school districts until August 15 to voluntarily agree to policy changes or face enforcement consequences. However, ACPS has stood firm, citing flaws in the reasoning of the Department of Education's Letter of Findings (LOF) and the Voluntary Resolution Agreement (VRA) proposed by the department.
School Board Chair Dr. Michelle Rief and Superintendent Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt announced the district's stance in a statement released on Friday. They stated that ACPS will continue to monitor legal developments, consult with counsel, and ensure compliance with the law while maintaining focus on students' well-being.
The district's current policies protecting transgender students will remain in place. Alexandria's attorneys argued that they cannot agree with the analysis contained in the LOF, or the VRA's attempt to define transgender students out of existence.
This decision has sparked a series of reactions. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin claimed that female students have witnessed male students inappropriately touching other students and watching female students change in a female locker room. On the other hand, City Council member Kirk McPike applauded Alexandria's stance, expressing pride in the school district's commitment to transgender students' rights.
Congressman Don Beyer praised the regional response, stating that local education leaders are focused on following the law and ensuring a strong start to the school year. Meanwhile, Fairfax County Public Schools has not publicly responded to the federal demands. Prince William County's school board has not announced a decision regarding the proposed resolution agreement.
The federal government has threatened to suspend or terminate federal financial assistance to Alexandria City Public Schools due to their refusal to comply. This is a developing story, and ALXnow will continue to monitor the federal response to Alexandria's decision. The new school year in Alexandria starts on August 18, 2025, except for Samuel W. Tucker Elementary. The lawyer who created the legal advisory for ACPS is named Mark Jinks.
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