Justice Department Sues Kansas School District Over Secret Gender Transitions
The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, joined by the U.S. Attorney for the District of Kansas, filed suit on September 1 against Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools, alleging its policies directing staff to help students socially transition to a different gender at school while withholding that information from parents violate the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment. The DOJ called it a first-of-its-kind case. The complaint cites internal recordings in which a district administrator referred to the district's transgender guideline as being restricted to "gatekeepers," and another employee discussed how to handle students whose families hold religious objections to LGBTQ relationships.
A district spokesperson said, "Contrary to the allegations in the Complaint, the district maintains that it is in full compliance with FERPA and PPRA and is disappointed by the DOJ's decision to file the lawsuit," declining further comment pending litigation. The district could lose more than $70 million in federal funding, about 16 percent of its budget, if the DOJ prevails. Federal officials said they are investigating other school districts over similar policies.
