Sarasota School Board passes resolution rejecting federal Title IX changes

SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. – The Sarasota County School Board voted 4-1 Tuesday in favor of a resolution to formally reject revisions to Title IX made last month by the Biden administration.

The motion was first introduced by board member Bridget Ziegler.

“We achieved a big win in Sarasota County and showed we are willing to push back against Biden’s war on women and kids,” Ziegler said to Florida’s Voice. “By rejecting the dangerous changes to Title IX, we made it clear Sarasota County Schools will stand in the gap to ensure the safety, security, dignity and opportunities for our girls.”

In doing so, the school board became the first Florida district to push-back against the ruling. Led by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the state also has vowed to fight expansion.

Board member Tom Edwards dissented on the measure.

“Where I’m concerned is the financial well being of our school district,” Edwards said during the board meeting. “I’m concerned this hasn’t been vetted properly by a lawyer before its made a motion and says ‘yes’ this does fall within the guidelines.”

Edwards further noted his overall intention was to tamp down the temperature on recent various discussions within the school district. In response to Zeigler, he shouted, “Game on, and that’s politics 100% of the time, so pass it if you will.”

As defined, Title IX states “no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

In April, the Biden administration pushed back on the 50-year ruling to include language protecting gender identity and sexual orientation for the LGBTQ community. The changes specifically “prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance.”

Moreover, the final regulations promote “educational equity” and “opportunity for students across the country as well as accountability and fairness, while empowering and supporting students and families.”

The new rule makes “crystal clear that everyone can access schools that are safe, welcoming and that respect their rights,” Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said.

Furthermore, Biden’s Title IX is a reversal of a Trump era policy established under former Education Secretary Betsy Devos. The former rule gave more rights to those accused of sexual misconduct and tightened the scope in which colleges are required to investigate cases.

Enacted in 1972 under the 14th amendment, Title IX is often associated with the protection of women’s sports from trans athletes. Former U.S. Olympian Kaitlyn Jenner, a transgender athlete, and University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines have recently been two of the biggest advocates for protecting women’s sports.

However, under Biden’s change, protections for transgender athletes are not mentioned. Once considered, the administrations plan to protect trans athletes is now on hold, possibly due to push-back from Republicans around bans on transgender athletes in women’s sports.

In the past, Republican led states have challenged Biden’s proposed guidelines to Title IX.

Following DeSantis’ lead, Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. backed in a letter the state would fight the ruling, which goes into effect Aug 1.

“At Governor Ron DeSantis’ direction, no educational institution should begin implementing any changes,” the letter stated.

Under the change, Diaz noted the Biden administration was attempting to maim the statute to “gaslight the country into believing that biological sex no longer has any meaning.”

“In doing so, it seeks to commandeer Florida’s educational institutions and force them to violate various federal and state laws, including the First Amendment and Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act, as well as statutes to protect students’ privacy in bathrooms and locker rooms,” Diaz wrote.

“In Florida, we respect parents’ rights to direct their children’s education. We protect our students’ safety and privacy. And we make sure every student is given the chance to thrive on and off campus. We will keep pressing to accomplish these goals,” the letter continued.