The Redlands Unified School District approved a resolution to ban boys from competing in girls sports after a raucous discussion on the topic by community members.
In a more than five hour board meeting on April 22, parents, students, and community members argued their positions in regards to a resolution titled “Supporting Title IX and Fairness in Girls’ Interscholastic Sports.”
In certain instances, crowd members interrupted speakers, while others could be seen shaking their heads while those with opposing views spoke. Several security guards were at the meeting, and at least one remained next to each speaker as they let their views be known.
The board ultimately approved the resolution in a 3–2 vote.
Board members later in the meeting considered censuring a member of the board as debate on cultural topics on numerous fronts boiled over. The board has also floated controversial new library policies, as well as a policy curtailing use of the LGBT rainbow flag on campus.
The board’s vote does not create a binding policy for the district’s athletics program, which serves high schools such as Redlands High School and Citrus Valley High School. The district altogether serves more than 20,000 students in the Inland Empire.
“It’s fair. It’s about ensuring that our daughters who train, sacrifice, and give everything to their sport are not robbed of the opportunities. That’s not discrimination,” said Sonia Shaw, mother of two female athletes and president of Chino Valley Unified School Board.
“Being here tonight is upsetting; it’s upsetting because we shouldn’t have to be here,” said another public speaker. “We shouldn’t have to come here to say we need to save girl’s sports. We shouldn’t be begging for common sense.”
Others spoke out against the resolution, arguing it was a waste of time and resources.
