By Kyle Roberts
In a 9-0 vote in Tuesday night’s special called session, Lincoln Parish School Board members passed a resolution to affirm the state’s pursuing of the April lawsuit “State of Louisiana, et al v. U.S. Department of Education, et al” in regards to updates to Title IX protections.
The updated federal protections include new rules primarily around student gender identification, which raises questions around bathroom usage and athletes competing in sports that are counter to the gender they were assigned at birth.
“Several districts in our area have passed a resolution of support for the lawsuit and simply saying that we are standing up girls and for female athletics and that we don’t want transgender athletes competing and transgender students using locker rooms and restrooms (that are not for the genders they were assigned at birth),” LPSB president Gregg Phillips said.
“At the same time, we do want to make a specific note that Lincoln Parish schools are committed to protecting all students from harm or discrimination, and that the parish will continue to investigate any allegations that a student has been harmed, harassed or the victim of discrimination. This board will seek to protect all children from harm, even if there were no laws.”
Assistant LPSB superintendent John Young echoed Phillips in regards to creating safe environments for all students.
“We are going to do our best to protect students in terms of harm and from discrimination,” Young said.
Absent were Dr. Danielle Williams of District 1, David Ferguson of District 2 and Lynda Henderson of District 9.
The entire resolution text is included below:
BE IT FOREVER KNOWN, that by official action taken at its meeting of May 14, 2024, the Lincoln Parish School Board (sometimes referred to as the “Board”) adopted the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the United States Department of Education has issued a final rule, titled “Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance” (“Final Rule”), which it will publish in the federal register;
WHEREAS, the Final Rule dramatically changes Title IX regulations and acknowledges it will increase complaint investigations;
WHEREAS, the Final Rule will disadvantage the Board by increasing its obligations, compliance costs, and liability risks;
WHEREAS, the Board believes the Final Rule is contrary to federal law and will be detrimental to students, parents, and employees;
WHEREAS, the Board believes the Final Rule, is directly contrary to existing state law, as well as laws currently being considered by the Louisiana Legislature; and
WHEREAS, the State of Louisiana and school districts within the State have challenged the legality of the Final Rule in that matter styled, “State of Louisiana, et al v. U.S. Department of Education, et al” bearing Case No. 3:24-CV-00563 on the records of the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that by the vote reflected hereinbelow, the Lincoln Parish School Board does hereby express its Support of the State and the various districts who have joined the State as parties in the forgoing litigation against the United States Department of Education and other federal defendants to challenge the Final Rule.
