Texas Attorney General Demands Documents from Richardson School District on Transgender Student Athletes
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is investigating the actions of several school districts in Texas, including Richardson and Hutto, regarding their policies and procedures regarding transgender student athletes. The demand for information comes after a group called Accuracy in Media used hidden cameras to record various school administrators discussing how their districts would treat transgender students.
Background
In a video recorded in the Richardson school district, a person posing as a prospective parent asked whether her transgender daughter would be able to stay with the rest of the girls on overnight school trips. A district administrator is heard saying that it would be determined on a case-by-case basis, and that in cases where that has occurred, all the students in the room were friends and "the parents were OK with it."
Paxton’s Investigation
Paxton’s office is seeking documents related to how the districts comply with state law, including any communications, including emails, to district employees regarding the determination of a student’s eligibility to participate in interscholastic sports based on sex, including the use of birth certificates or other governmental documents.
Richardson ISD Response
In a statement, Richardson ISD officials said they will comply with the request for documentation. "RISD closely follows Texas law, including the UIL requirement that student athletes must compete according to the gender on their original birth certificate," they wrote. "The district is not aware of any instance whatsoever where this requirement was not followed in RISD."
Hutto ISD Response
Hutto ISD is also complying with Paxton’s request for documents and the administrator in the video is no longer employed by the district, according to James Gazzale, executive director of communications. "The views expressed do not reflect the policies or positions of the district," he said, adding that Hutto ISD "follows a strict, well-defined process to ensure compliance" with policies governing student athletes.
Context
Paxton’s probe launched the same week President Donald Trump signed an executive order barring transgender athletes from joining girls’ and women’s sports. Texas law already requires that, in public schools, students play on sports teams corresponding to the sex listed on their birth certificate.
Reactions
At least one state representative from North Texas previously urged caution when responding to such hidden-camera recordings. "This is a clear example of how manufactured controversies distract from the real work of educating our students," said Rep. Terry Meza, D-Irving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of Paxton’s investigation?
A: The investigation is to determine if comments in videos are reflective of a systematic, district-wide effort to ignore the law and allow boys to play in girls’ sports.
Q: What is the context of the videos?
A: The videos were recorded by a group called Accuracy in Media, which used hidden cameras to capture conversations between school administrators and "undercover journalists" about how their districts would treat transgender students.
Q: What is the response of the school districts?
A: Richardson and Hutto ISD have agreed to comply with Paxton’s request for documents, while Hutto ISD has also stated that the administrator in the video is no longer employed by the district.
Conclusion
Paxton’s investigation is a reminder of the ongoing debate surrounding transgender student athletes and the importance of ensuring that all students have equal opportunities to participate in sports. As the debate continues, it is essential to prioritize the well-being and safety of all students, regardless of their gender identity.
