Lynden School District plans legal action against state over gender inclusion

The Lynden School District is preparing to take legal action against the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) concerning its gender inclusivity policies. The Board of Directors passed a resolution on Thursday night, empowering Superintendent David VanderYacht to initiate legal proceedings. The district contends that OSPI has overstepped its authority, especially regarding regulations affecting student athletics. In addition to the lawsuit, the school board plans to submit formal complaints to the Office for Civil Rights and the U. S.

Attorney General, citing potential conflicts with federal Title IX requirements. They argue that compliance with state law could jeopardize federal funding, which is critical for the district's operations. Earlier, the school district had proposed amendments to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) to create an “open division” for transgender student athletes. However, these amendments were rejected by multiple state agencies, which stated that they would violate existing state laws. This situation highlights the ongoing tensions between state policies and federal guidelines on gender inclusivity in schools.