LIBERTY LAKE, Wash. — The Central Valley School District decided on Tuesday night not to send a letter to the WIAA asking the organization to reconsider its policy on transgender student athletes.
The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) oversees high school sports across the state of Washington and has, for years, had a policy that allows students to compete in sports based on their gender identity.
The policy has recently come under scrutiny as the subject of transgender athletes has become a political topic nationwide.
In October, the Mead School District passed a resolution against transgender athletes and asked the WIAA to reconsider it’s policy.
CVSD’s drafted letter included ideas like creating a separate category, apart from boys and girls sports, specifically for transgender athletes to compete in.
Tuesday night’s meeting drew dozens of attendees and over 20 public comment speakers, both in support and against the drafted letter.
“Boys competing in girls sports creates many problems including physical harm to female athletes,” said CVSD parent, Brandon Arthur.
CVSD parent, Cameron Harvey, spoke against the drafted letter.
“They should be treated with sensitivity, kindness, compassion and an abundance of love,” he said.
In the end, the board decided the district needs more time to come up with a course of action.
Board member, Anniece Barker, said the letter’s language was not specific enough.
“We need to protect our biological females from having to compete with biological males. We know that it’s not fair, we know there are safety issues that our girls have,” she said.
Other board members said sending the letter would exclude transgender students who only make up 0.3% of the district’s population.
“If we’re concerned about fairness, what about the transgender athlete who wants to participate and can’t participate in any other part of a sport and be true to their gender identification,” said CVSD board member, Cindy McMullen.
All five board members voted ‘no’ on sending the drafted letter to the WIAA and agreed the discussion should continue at a future board meeting.
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