Horne: Schools should get legal advice before following new Title IX rules

For immediate release: July 22, 2024
Contact: [email protected]
 

Horne: Schools should get legal advice before following new Title IX rules

Controversial changes face multiple legal hurdles

PHOENIX – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne says Arizona districts and charters should consult legal counsel to determine if they should delay implementing controversial new federal Title IX guidelines that may cause students to suffer damages.

The new regulations are set to take effect on August 1 and face multiple legal challenges.

In a letter sent to district and charter school administrators, Horne said, “This is your choice, but you may wish to delay implementing the new regulations until the legal situation is clarified. If the regulations are implemented and then later overruled by the courts, students may suffer damages in the meantime.”

Horne added, “In the past I’ve been asked by districts, as a policy matter, about their consideration of rules, permitting biological boys who have male genitalia being allowed in girls’ bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers. My response was that there should be unisex bathrooms available, and if there was no room for them, the faculty bathroom should be used for that purpose. That would preserve the dignity of biological boys who identify as girls. But if they were allowed in girls’ facilities, I thought parents might well remove the girls from the school and send them to another district, Charter School, or private school. So, this rule could significantly injure public education.”

He notes that a Louisiana federal court ruling outlines the potential consequences to students if these news regulations are applied: “In Louisiana v. USDOE, the federal court described the impact of the August 1 rule as follows: ‘…requires students to be allowed access to bathrooms and locker rooms based on the gender identity [chosen, not at birth] requires schools to use whatever pronouns the student requests; and imposes additional requirements that will result in substantial costs to the school.’”

Horne concluded, “This is not legal advice. The Arizona Attorney General may disagree… We are a local control state, and it will be up to districts and charters to determine how to proceed in this situation. You need to consult with your lawyer. I am only providing information I think might be useful.”

For example, in an amicus brief to a Texas court considering whether to make its injunction against the new regulation nationwide, it was pointed out that "the Governing Board of the Dysart District in Arizona adopted a resolution on July 11, 2024, affirming its commitment to the pre-Final rule interpretation of Title IX, formally affirming that the Final Rule is contrary to the statutory text."

The full letter and appendix are attached.

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