This story was updated at 1:10 p.m.
The Trump administration has opened an investigation into the Champlain Valley Union School District over the school’s policies concerning transgender athletes.
The U.S. Department of Education announced Wednesday it was investigating 15 school districts and three colleges across nine states, including the Chittenden County district.
It said the investigations were prompted by complaints filed against the schools under the civil rights law, Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any program that receives federal funding.
Champlain Valley School District superintendent Adam Bunting sent out a letter to families soon after receiving the notice.
“I want to assure you and all of our students that we remain steadfast in our commitment to honoring the identities of every learner," he wrote. “We are grateful for each and every student in this district.”
The Trump administration has been threatening to crack down on schools that allow transgender athletes to compete based on their gender identity, and many colleges and school districts have changed their policies to appease the administration.
But many schools have continued to allow transgender athletes to compete, and the investigation targets some of those districts.
“Time and again, the Trump Administration has made its position clear: violations of women’s rights, dignity, and fairness are unacceptable,” Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey said in a press release. “We will leave no stone unturned in these investigations to uphold women’s right to equal access in education programs— a fight that started over half a century ago and is far from finished.”
The investigation was announced a day after the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments over policies banning transgender girls from participating in public school sports in two states.
The Vermont Agency of Education has issued guidance to schools that generally directs schools to allow students to compete in accordance with the student’s gender identity.
Jay Nichols is the executive director of the Vermont Principal’s Association, which oversees the sports programs in Vermont schools. “Our perspective has been, you know, let’s let kids play, let’s make inclusive environments for all kids,” Nichols said. “You know we follow the law, whatever the law is, and the law in Vermont is what it is and we’re going to continue to follow the law.”
This story will be updated.
