LIBERTY LAKE, Wash. — The Central Valley School District (CVSD) Board of Directors is set to vote on Tuesday on whether to join other school districts in formally criticizing the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association’s (WIAA) policy regarding transgender athletes, particularly transgender girls competing in girls’ sports.
The issue has sparked controversy across the state as communities debate how to balance fairness in athletic competition with the inclusion of transgender students. CVSD’s proposed letter, set to be discussed at the board’s regular meeting, advocates for revisiting WIAA’s regulations, calling for solutions that ensure fair competition while prioritizing the safety and well-being of all athletes.
“We urge the WIAA and legislators to have serious and ongoing conversations to find legal, well-researched and equitable solutions to ensure all athletes have fair competition,” the drafted letter said.
The district emphasizes that it supports equal athletic opportunities for all students and aims to provide a safe environment for participants. At the same time, CVSD raises concerns that the current policy may inadvertently undermine fairness in competition.
“All students should feel welcome, safe and valued in our schools, yet inclusion as it is currently prescribed for athletics can override fair competition for all,” the letter said.
The district suggests that one potential solution could be the creation of an open category in certain sports or the introduction of competition categories based on performance level rather than gender. Such options, the letter argues, could address concerns about the physiological differences between transgender and cisgender athletes.
CVSD’s board is expected to discuss the letter’s contents during its regular meeting at 7 p.m. on Nov. 12 at the Learning and Teaching Center, 2218 North Molter Road. The meeting is open to the public, and the district said that they encourage community input on the matter.
This vote comes as more school districts across . While the organization has sought to create inclusive guidelines, critics argue that the policy may not ensure a level playing field for all students.
