The Department of Education (ED) announced that several Kansas school districts risk losing federal funding if they continue allowing transgender male students to use girls’ restrooms and locker rooms, as this violates Title IX.
ED’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued “letters of impending enforcement action” to three Kansas districts: Olathe Public Schools, Shawnee Mission School District, and Topeka Public Schools. The Kansas City Public School District was also informed of potential non-compliance with Title IX.
In April 2026, OCR found that these districts might be violating Title IX by permitting male students access to women’s facilities. They also stated that some districts have allowed boys to compete in girls’ sports teams based on their declared gender identity. Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex as a condition for federal funding.
ED mentioned that despite a proposed resolution agreement aimed at guiding the district towards compliance with Title IX, “the district continues to take no action.” The department’s goal is to safeguard the rights of women and girls while upholding parental rights regarding educational records.
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Ritchie commented, “The ongoing refusal of Kansas school districts to adhere to Title IX jeopardizes the safety, privacy, and dignity of young women.” She warned that districts must comply or face further action, especially during Title IX Month.
The department initiated an investigation into one district in August 2025 following a complaint from the Freedom Defense Institute. Education Secretary Linda McMahon also received concerns from Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach regarding Title IX compliance.
The Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools notified its districts that the Department of Education is preparing for “imminent enforcement,” which could lead to the loss of federal education funding.
One of the letters to other districts specifies they have a 10-day period to comply with Title IX, or they may risk losing their federal funding. A spokesperson from the Kansas City Public Schools stated that they haven’t reviewed the ED letter yet, but will inform the school board once they do.
Olathe Public Schools stated in a press release that they previously submitted a voluntary resolution agreement to ED’s OCR, which was rejected.
“Despite our full cooperation, the Department of Education has chosen to rescind the agreement and pursue enforcement. We are disappointed,” the statement read. “The Department’s decision raises questions about whether the goal is a practical conclusion or predetermined outcomes.” They noted that further delays have consumed time and taxpayer resources that could be better spent on student success.
The district emphasized it has always complied with both Title IX and FERPA [Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act]. They have been transparent and tried to work with federal authorities to resolve the issue without agreeing to the complaint, aiming to protect essential federal funds and minimize legal costs.
They argue that the current approach risks jeopardizing critical funding and does not foster collaboration in addressing concerns. Their focus will now be on defending their practices and ensuring compliance with Title IX and FERPA. They remain optimistic that the Department of Education will prioritize facts and fairness.
A spokesperson for Topeka Public Schools stated they are carefully reviewing the ED letter. They emphasized their commitment to serving all students and maintaining an open dialogue with OCR, even expressing surprise at the recent communications considering the ongoing collaboration since August 2025. Despite discrepancies with OCR’s findings, they intend to continue working towards compliance.
The Shawnee Mission School District did not provide any comments at the time of publication.
