The Department of Education said four Kansas school districts could face Justice Department referral and possible loss of federal aid over restroom, locker room and sports policies the agency says violate Title IX.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Four Kansas school districts are facing possible federal enforcement action after the Trump administration said they have continued policies that violate Title IX by allowing male students to use girls’ restrooms, locker rooms and changing areas.
The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights on Thursday set a 10-day deadline for Olathe Public Schools, Shawnee Mission School District and Topeka Public Schools to resolve the violations or face referral to the Department of Justice and possible termination of federal funding. The department also notified Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools that enforcement proceedings are being prepared after negotiations with the district stalled.
The action, announced by the Department of Education, marks an escalation in a dispute that began months earlier and centers on district policies involving sex-separated school facilities and girls’ athletics.
According to the department, the Office for Civil Rights determined in April that all four districts were in violation of Title IX. Federal officials said the districts allowed male students to access female restrooms, locker rooms and changing areas, and permitted some male students to compete on girls’ sports teams based on gender identity.
The agency said it offered each district a proposed resolution agreement intended to bring the schools into compliance. Federal officials said the districts have not taken the required corrective action and also have failed to meet obligations under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA, by denying parents the right to inspect their children’s educational records.
“These Kansas school districts’ ongoing refusal to come into compliance with Title IX puts the safety, privacy, and dignity of young women and girls at risk,” said Kimberly Richey, assistant secretary for civil rights.
Richey said the enforcement step was part of the administration’s Title IX Month efforts and said the department would pursue compliance through the full authority available under federal law.
Title IX prohibits sex discrimination in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. The statute allows the federal government to terminate funding when violations are found and recipients fail to correct them.
The Kansas investigations were opened in August 2025 after complaints were filed by the Defense of Freedom Institute, a conservative legal group. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, a Republican, also raised concerns with Education Secretary Linda McMahon, writing separately to flag the districts’ policies and add state-level pressure to the federal review.
The districts responded differently to the department’s latest action.
Olathe Public Schools disputed the federal government’s position, saying the Department of Education rejected what the district described as a signed voluntary resolution agreement submitted in May. The district said it “firmly maintains that it has always been, and continues to be, in compliance with both Title IX and FERPA.”
Olathe also accused the administration of pursuing “a predetermined result that does not reflect the facts, the law, or the district’s actual practices,” and said it would use every available legal option to defend its position and protect its federal funding.
Topeka Public Schools said it was reviewing the federal letter and “respectfully disagrees” with the Office for Civil Rights’ findings, while also saying it would continue working with the office.
Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools said it had not yet evaluated the letter.
The districts now face a 10-day response window before the Department of Education can advance the matter to the Justice Department and begin potential proceedings to terminate federal aid.
Original article
Comments