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VITAL VOTE: Will Sarasota Protect Girls & Girls' Sports?

  • School Board Update
  • May 5, 2024
  • 3 min read

Big Vote Coming Up On Tuesday, May 7th


On Tuesday, May 7th the Sarasota County School Board will take up a resolution that would put our School District officially in opposition to the dangerous changes made to Title IX by the Biden Resolution.


This resolution makes it clear that the Sarasota County School District supports the protections of Title IX and opposes any efforts to move towards allowing boys to use girls bathrooms, boys to change in girls locker rooms, and boys to take away opportunity from girls by competing in girls sports.


We must protect our girls!


Read the resolution below:


Download Resolution:


RESOLUTION TEXT:


THE SCHOOL BOARD OF SARASOTA COUNTY, FLORIDA

RESOLUTION


A RESOLUTION OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF SARASOTA COUNTY, FLORIDA TO COMMIT THAT NO POLICY OR PROCEDURAL CHANGES SHALL TAKE PLACE OR BE CONSIDERED IN RESPONSE TO THE APRIL 19TH, 2024 TITLE IX RULE CHANGES


WHEREAS, The School Board of Sarasota County is made up of five duly elected Constitutional Officers, each whom swore an oath to uphold, protect, & defend the laws of the United States of America, and The State of Florida; and


WHEREAS, the United States Department of Education released a final rule, making significant changes to the regulations implementing Title IX, that run afoul of Federal and State Laws; and


WHEREAS, Title IX, enacted by Congress in 1972, provides that "no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance." 20 U.S.C. §1681(a); and


WHEREAS, Title IX was passed to ensure that females and males receive equal educational opportunities. 20 U.S.C. §1681(a)(2) (referring to "both sexes"); and


WHEREAS, The statute requires that, if opportunities "are provided for students of one sex, opportunities for reasonably comparable activities shall be provided for students of the other sex." §1681(a)(8); and


WHEREAS, "on the basis of sex" in Title IX is referring to biological sex, which, like race and national origin, is an immutable characteristic that cannot be changed, fluid, or altered; and


WHEREAS, the United States Department of Education's unlawful attempt to redefine "Sex" to include "Gender Identity" would have disastrous impacts to girls and women's safety in restrooms, locker rooms, and sports; and


WHEREAS, The Governor and Attorney General of the State of Florida have enjoined a federal lawsuit on April 29th, challenging, among many provisions, the constitutionality of the United States Department of Education's changes to Title IX, and


WHEREAS, The Commissioner of Education of the State of Florida, at the direction of the Governor of the State of Florida, has instructed that "no education institution should begin implementing any changes while legal challenges ensue";


NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the School Board of Sarasota County, Florida, in a public meeting duly called and assembled:


  1. affirms that "sex". is defined as biological male or biological female (only two sexes); is an immutable characteristic that cannot be changed, fluid, or altered;

  2. affirms that inherent biological differences and abilities exist between the two sexes and commits to protecting female sports;

  3. commits to ensuring the safety, privacy and protection of all students, and acknowledges the importance of single sex facilities;

  4. provides that no person shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity within Sarasota County Schools;

  5. supports Governor DeSantis, on behalf of the State of Florida, legal challenge of the United States Secretary of Education and the United States Department of Education's rule changes to Title IX;

  6. commits that no policy or procedural changes will be implemented or considered as legal challenges ensue, and hereby acknowledges the paramount duty of the District to make adequate provisions for the education of all children residing within its borders.


BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be spread upon the minutes of the School Board of Sarasota County, Florida.


PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED, at a public meeting the ____ day of 2024.


ATTEST:



By: __________________

Terrence Connor, Superintendent


By: __________________

Karen Rose, Chair

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