Olathe and Shawnee Mission school districts have been given 10 days by federal investigators to change their policies for transgender students or face the potential loss of millions of dollars in federal funding. The U.S. Department of Education rejected Olathe Public Schools’ voluntary resolution agreement, which aimed to end a months-long investigation into its policies and guidance for accommodating transgender students.

Investigation and Allegations

The investigation, launched last August, stemmed from allegations by the Defense of Freedom Institute and Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach that the school districts kept unofficial student records and used “pediatric gender treatments” documents, which outline accommodations for transgender students. The federal agency alleged that the districts violated federal Title IX law by allowing students to use restrooms and locker rooms based on their gender identity.

The agency also alleged that the districts restricted parents’ access to information about students’ gender identity, including allowing students to use different names at school or change their names on graduation certificates without parents’ knowledge, violating the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Response from School Districts

Olathe Public Schools said the district has been placed in a position that feels less like a collaborative effort to resolve concerns and more like an attempt to strong-arm the district into accepting allegations and remedies it does not believe are supported by the facts or the law. The district is now shifting its focus to potentially taking legal action.

“Olathe Public Schools stands ready to vigorously defend its practices, its reputation, and the students and families we are privileged to serve,” the district said.

The Shawnee Mission School District did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Original reporting: Johnson County Post (Overland Park) — read the source article.