Dept. of Education investigating Cheney Schools, others over alleged Title IX violations

CHENEY, Wash. — The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights has launched investigations into school districts around the country including Cheney Public Schools over transgender policies.

According to the DOE, the investigation is coming from complaints filed against the district over its policies regarding transgender athletes participating in sports based on gender identity.

The Washington State Standard is reporting Cheney is being investigated for allegedly allowing a transgender athlete to compete on the girls’ track team.

Cheney Public Schools told 4 News Now it was aware of the investigation but could not discuss specifics. The district said it intends to cooperate with the investigation.

Cheney is among 18 school districts under investigation in the country and four in Washington including Sultan School District No. 311, Tacoma Public Schools, and Vancouver Public Schools.

“In the same week that the Supreme Court hears oral arguments on the future of Title IX, OCR is aggressively pursuing allegations of discrimination against women and girls by entities which reportedly allow males to compete in women’s sports. Time and again, the Trump Administration has made its position clear: violations of women’s rights, dignity, and fairness are unacceptable,” said Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey. “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.”