Rep. Elise Stefanik warned that federal funds could be in crisis as he blasted New York schools’ “gender expansion” policies and contradicted President Trump’s senior leadership on transgender athletes in women’s sports.
An Upstate Republican said Saratoga Springs rebutted the orders for the “diversity, equity and inclusion” program when he passed a resolution earlier this month pledging the school board to pledge a resolution in favor of transgender students “conform to their gender identity.”
“The Saratoga Springs Board of Education is opposed to @Realdonaldtrump’s executive order by placing biological men in women’s sports and locker rooms.” Stefanik smoked Tuesday.
“This blatant refusal to President Trump’s executive order puts students’ federal funds at risk. As a proud representative of #NY21 and Mama, I will always fight to protect my children and hold the out-of-control school board of directors accountable.”
The resolution, passed 7-1 on April 1, said the district would develop an environment where transgender and “gender-extended” children can “express themselves safely without fear of discrimination or harassment.”
“We will ensure the right to use the facility and participate in activities and sports that are consistent with gender identity,” he continued. The district added that it “respects selected names and pronouns.”
The Saratoga Springs Education Board also clinged to its commitment to “equity, inclusion and diversity” and said it “does not comply with directives that violate civil rights protections.”
The New York State Department of Education also blew away the ban on Trump’s DEI program, claiming that federal or state laws do not prohibit anything.
Some parents have said they will file civil rights complaints with the U.S. Department of Education, and the Saratoga Springs School District has allegedly violated Title IX, which protects women in sports, by supporting policies that allow biological men to compete with transgender people.
The school board has created a potential funding crisis and violates Title IX, says Amanda Ellithorpe, parent of two girls from the district’s primary and secondary schools.
“This is a reduction in programs,” Eritloop said.
Attorney General Leticia James has taken the stance that the ban on transgender athletes in sports violates the state’s civil rights laws.
