By Kanishka Singh
WASHINGTON, July 1 (Reuters) – The fifth-largest public school district in Kansas said on Wednesday it disagreed with the Trump administration’s accusation that it violated federal law in its transgender policies.
Here are details:
• President Donald Trump’s administration said on Tuesday it will bring enforcement action against the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools over its transgender policies that could include judicial proceedings and loss of federal funding.
• “KCKPS respectfully disagrees with the federal agencies’ conclusions and maintains that the district has acted in good faith and in accordance with applicable federal and state laws,” KCKPS said in a statement.
• The U.S. Education Department alleged the school district’s policy not to disclose a student’s transgender status even to parents violated the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
• “KCKPS remains committed to complying with all applicable federal and state laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act,” the district, which serves over 21,000 students across nearly 50 school sites, said.
• Trump has attempted to freeze federal funding for universities, colleges and school districts over a range of issues like transgender policies, climate initiatives, pro-Palestinian protests against U.S. ally Israel’s assault on Gaza and diversity initiatives.
• Trump has in particular issued multiple executive orders to limit transgender rights in sports participation.
• Rights groups say Trump’s actions violate academic freedom, free speech and due process.
(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in WashingtonEditing by Nick Zieminski)
