A high school principal and several staff members in a Florida school district are being temporarily reassigned as the district conducts an investigation regarding allegations surrounding the participation of a transgender student on a girls’ volleyball team.
The state’s Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, enacted in 2021, prohibits transgender girls from engaging in female sports in Florida. This development has sparked heated discussions on transgender rights, leading to a walkout by students at Monarch High School in Broward County in support of the principal and the athlete involved.
The Florida Department of Education’s communications director, Cailey Myers, expressed firm disapproval of the student’s participation on the girls’ team, emphasizing that serious repercussions are expected for those responsible.
The identity of the student has been kept undisclosed.
Principal James Cecil, assistant Principal Kenneth May, athletic director Dione Hester, information management technician Jessica Norton, and temporary athletic coach Alex Burgess have been reassigned to non-school sites while the district investigates the alleged improper student participation in sports, as announced by Broward County Public Schools. CNN has attempted to contact the reassigned staff for their comments.
Amid these events, Broward Teachers Union President Anna Fusco clarified that Hester, the athletic director, was unaware of the 2021 law and had minimal direct involvement with the players. Fusco highlighted that Hester, a recent addition to the school, diligently handled administrative tasks for the team, ensuring their schedule and documentation were managed efficiently.
Superintendent Peter Licata emphasized that the reassignment is not indicative of disciplinary action, stating that the investigation aims to establish facts rather than assign guilt.
Regarding the future participation of the student in sports, Licata noted that the volleyball season is concluded, but extra measures will be taken to ensure the eligibility of all participants in future activities.
School district spokesperson John J. Sullivan reaffirmed their commitment to follow state laws, adding that the school district aims to provide a secure and inclusive learning atmosphere for all students.
LGBTQ advocates have strongly opposed legislative actions that they perceive as targeting young transgender individuals in Florida and other states. The influx of anti-LGBTQ bills across various state legislatures has sparked concern and garnered attention from organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union, which is tracking over 500 anti-LGBTQ bills, with a significant number directed towards educational settings.
