The U.S. government announced Tuesday it will pursue enforcement action against the Kansas City Public School District in Kansas, citing its transgender policies. This could lead to judicial proceedings and the loss of federal funding for the district.
The Education Department alleged in a statement that the school district’s policy, which prevents the disclosure of a student’s transgender status even to parents, violates the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
Both the Education and Justice Departments will jointly “take appropriate enforcement measures, including applicable judicial proceedings and potential loss of federal funding,” the statement confirmed.
The school district, which serves over 21,000 students, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Education Department specifically highlighted the district’s policy stating “that school personnel ‘should not disclose information that may reveal a student’s transgender status or gender nonconforming presentation to others, including parents.'”
This development comes as Donald Trump has previously sought to freeze federal funding for schools over transgender policies, moves that civil rights activists condemned. Trump has also issued multiple executive orders to limit transgender rights in sports participation. On the same day, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed states to impose restrictions on transgender student athletes.
