Monarch High School principal reassigned following alleged ‘improper student participation in sports’
COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – Monarch High School Principal James Cecil has been reassigned to “non-school sites” pending allegations of “improper student participation in sports.”
“The principal of Monarch High School and several staff members have been reassigned to non-school sites pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations of improper student participation in sports,” said John J. Sullivan, chief communications and legislative affairs officer for Broward County Public Schools
Located in Coconut Creek, the investigation allegedly details a biological male playing on Monarch’s girls’ volleyball team. The person in question also participated on the team while fully transitioned or transitioning into being a female.
The alleged violation would go against Florida’s “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act.”
Signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, SB 1028 prohibits biological male participation on an athletic team or sport designed for females.
Specifically, “biological male” is based on the student’s official birth certificate at the time of birth. The bill also pertains to interscholastic, intercollegiate, intramural, or club athletic teams or sports that are sponsored by a public secondary school, high school, public college, or university institution.
“As a father of two daughters, I want my girls, and every girl in Florida, to compete on an even playing field for the opportunities available to young women in sports,” DeSantis said in the release. “Women have fought for decades to have equal opportunities in athletics, and we have to prevent those opportunities from being eroded as is happening in other states.”
DeSantis also described the bill as “common sense.”
Nationally, 23 states have issued restrictions on biological men playing girls’ sports in K-12 schools. Transgender athletes in other states, like Massachusetts, have helped their high schools win state championships.
“Although we cannot comment further, we will continue to follow state law and will take appropriate action based on the outcome of the investigation,” Sullivan added. “We are committed to providing all our students with a safe and inclusive learning environment.”
Other staff members were also reassigned, according to the statement.
Nicknamed the Knights, Monarch girls’ volleyball finished their season with a 13-7 record. The team earned a No. 3 overall seed in the District 13-7A playoffs before bowing out to No. 2 seed Marjory Stoneman Douglas in the district semifinals.
