Sensitive text messages spark rebuke from school districts

The Olympia and Tumwater School Districts faced backlash due to misleading text messages about biological boys competing in girls' high school sports. The messages, labeled as “Tumwater School Poll” and “Olympia School Poll,” were sent from a local number and falsely attributed to the districts. Mary Weber, a concerned Lacey resident, highlighted the potential harm of such messages to marginalized community members in her complaint to school officials. Conor Schober, Olympia’s Director of Communications, stated that the district had no involvement in the creation or distribution of the messages and did not endorse their content. Tumwater Superintendent Kevin Bogatin echoed this sentiment, clarifying that the district is not affiliated with the texts and does not conduct polls via text.

Both officials acknowledged the community's concerns and urged vigilance regarding misinformation. The controversy reflects ongoing debates over inclusion and representation in school sports. Addressing these issues is crucial for fostering a supportive environment for all students.