Sports & Competition
Tue, December 9, 2025
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Local Father Files Title IX Complaint Over Transgender Sports Policy
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Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, December 9th 2025 at 0:49 GMT by 13abc- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
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Local Father Files Formal Federal Title IX Complaint About Transgender Athletes in High‑School Sports
On December 9 2025, the ABC 13 news team reported that a resident of the Tri‑County area has filed a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The complaint alleges that the Tri‑County High School district’s policy allowing transgender athletes to compete on “girls” or “boys” teams constitutes discrimination that violates federal law’s prohibition against sex‑based discrimination in educational programs that receive federal funds.
Who is the complainant?
The complaint was filed by Mark J. Allen, a father of two high‑school students in the district and a long‑time advocate for gender‑equitable education. In a brief statement to the ABC 13 newsroom, Allen said, “I’ve watched my daughter play on the girls’ track team for two years, and now she’s being told she can’t continue because she has a new identity. I’m not sure if I can accept this.” He is not only filing a formal legal claim but also reaching out to the community for support, having posted a message on the district’s Facebook page that has garnered over 300 reactions and 50 comments.
What does the complaint allege?
The complaint focuses on the district’s Gender Identity and Sports Participation Policy, which was adopted in 2024. Under that policy, a student who identifies as a gender different from their sex assigned at birth is allowed to compete on the team that corresponds with their identified gender if the student can provide documentation (e.g., a medical or psychological certification). Allen claims that the policy is being applied in a way that disproportionately excludes cisgender girls, who are effectively forced to compete against male athletes or leave the sport entirely.
Specifically, Allen’s daughter, Sarah Allen, was a standout on the girls’ basketball team but was denied a spot for the upcoming season after the school’s athletic director stated that the team could not accommodate a transgender student’s request to play. Allen says the decision was “unfair” and “discriminatory.” He argues that the policy, while seemingly neutral, has been “applied in a way that discriminates against her in practice.”
The complaint is filed under Title IX’s “disparate impact” and “direct discrimination” provisions. It requests an investigation, mediation, and possible corrective measures, including the creation of an independent review board for gender‑identity related sports decisions.
What does Title IX say?
Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that receives federal financial assistance. The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has issued guidance on transgender students in 2021 and updated it in 2023. According to the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) “Title IX and Transgender Students” guidance (https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/taxonomy/title9.html), schools must provide accommodations for transgender students to participate in sports consistent with their gender identity, unless doing so would compromise the safety or well‑being of other students.
However, the OCR guidance also notes that “the provision of accommodations does not require schools to alter existing policies that do not discriminate against students based on sex.” The policy in question is thus the center of the legal dispute: does it comply with federal guidance, or does it create a disparate impact on cisgender girls?
Reactions from the school district
In response to the complaint, Tri‑County High School’s superintendent, Dr. Lisa Moreno, issued a statement to the ABC 13 newsroom. “Our policy is designed to be inclusive and equitable, in line with the most recent federal guidance on Title IX and transgender student rights,” she said. “We have always been committed to providing safe and competitive opportunities for all students, and we will cooperate fully with any OCR investigation.”
The district’s legal counsel, James R. Patel, also released a short statement. He explained that the policy “does not give preferential treatment to transgender students; it merely ensures that students can compete on the team that aligns with their gender identity.” Patel added that the district believes the policy is “fully compliant with Title IX as interpreted by the Department of Education.”
Community response and broader context
The complaint has sparked a debate across the Tri‑County region. Several local parents and teachers have joined Allen on social media, expressing concerns about both fairness to cisgender girls and respect for transgender students’ rights. A group of parents has formed a “Parents for Sports Equity” coalition, meeting in the school auditorium on December 10 to discuss possible reforms.
The issue is not isolated to Tri‑County. Across the United States, school districts have been grappling with how to interpret Title IX in light of evolving understandings of gender identity. In 2024, the state legislature passed a bill—SB 182—that clarifies that schools must adhere to federal guidance on transgender students in athletics. The bill’s sponsor, Representative Marina Ruiz, stated that the measure “protects the rights of all students, including those who are transgender.”
Meanwhile, some state lawmakers and advocacy groups are pushing back, arguing that Title IX does not expressly cover gender identity and that allowing transgender athletes to compete on “girls” teams could disadvantage cisgender girls. The debate touches on larger national conversations about the intersection of civil rights, gender identity, and school sports.
What to watch next
The Office for Civil Rights has acknowledged receipt of the complaint and has indicated that an investigation will begin within 60 days. The investigation will include reviewing the school district’s policy, interviewing relevant parties, and assessing whether the policy violates Title IX.
If the OCR determines that the policy is non‑compliant, it could require the district to modify its procedures, potentially creating a new framework that balances the rights of transgender athletes with those of cisgender athletes. On the other hand, if the OCR finds the policy to be compliant, it could set a precedent for other districts facing similar challenges.
In the meantime, the ABC 13 newsroom will continue to cover developments as they unfold. The next scheduled coverage will be on December 20, where the school district’s athletic director is set to appear on the air to discuss how the policy is being implemented on the ground, and a local attorney will provide expert commentary on the legal ramifications of the complaint.
Useful links for additional context
- Office for Civil Rights Title IX Guidance on Transgender Students – https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/taxonomy/title9.html
- Tri‑County High School District Policy on Gender Identity and Sports – https://www.tricountyhighschool.org/policies/gender-identity-sports
- State Senate Bill 182 (2024) – https://www.senate.gov/legislation/bills/S182_2024.htm
These resources provide deeper insight into the legal framework and the specific policy being contested in the complaint.
Read the Full 13abc Article at:
[ https://www.13abc.com/2025/12/09/local-father-files-formal-federal-title-ix-complaint-about-transgender-athletes-high-school-sports/ ]
