The Allen Parish School Board met in special session Thursday, May 2, to discuss joining the state in a lawsuit against the federal government and Biden administration. The board adopted an ordinance stating it would join Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill and other school boards across the state in denounce changes to Title IX.
Title IX is the federal law prohibiting discrimination in educational programs and activities based on sex. Under President Joe Biden’s new Title IX rules, scheduled to take effect August 1, the law will be expanded to protect discrimination based on gender identity. And districts will face consequences if they fail to “promptly” respond to discrimination complaints based on gender, gender identity or sexual orientation.
Murrill has stated, “the final regulations stand to harm students, parents, teachers, school districts and states whose own constitutional rights are now in jeopardy, especially their right to free speech. If the school chooses not to comply, they risk losing essential Title IX funding while simultaneously facing lawsuits from the federal government and other proponents of these radical mandates.” She went on to say she was defending women and girls from discrimination since the rules would apply burdensome requirements on nearly every school, college and university in Louisiana. With the changes to Title IX, she said the government was eliminating 50 years of protection given to protect women and girls.
Superintendent Brad Soileau said the changes would affect school district’s in a number of ways from issues with restrooms to athletics.
The board unanimously agreed to the resolution and joining the state in its fight to stop discrimination.