(Texas Scorecard) – Attorney General Ken Paxton has opened investigations into two more school districts after administrators reportedly advised parents to circumvent state law to allow boys to play in girls’ sports programs.
The attorney general’s office sent demand letters to Hutto and Richardson Independent School Districts requesting documentation of district-wide communication about students’ eligibility for participation in sports programs based on biological sex.
“The woke school officials endangering female athletes and trying to undermine girls’ athletics by letting boys compete should know that there will be consequences for all unlawful activity,” said Paxton.
“I look forward to thoroughly reviewing all documents to determine if these comments are reflective of a systematic, district-wide effort to ignore the law and allow boys to play in girls’ sports,” he continued. “If they are, I can fully assure you that those liable will face justice.”
The attorney general’s letter to Hutto ISD references a now-former administrator’s efforts to advise parents on “workarounds” of state laws prohibiting boys from competing in girls’ sports.
“While we understand Ms. [Keyawna] Glaze has resigned, our office remains concerned that her advice may reflect an unstated policy of Hutto I.S.D. to not uphold the rule of law,” the letter reads.
A Hutto ISD spokesperson told Texas Scorecard that Glaze is no longer employed with the district, and that her views do not reflect the policy of the district.
Current Texas law limits participation in interscholastic sports competitions to the biological sex of the student listed on his or her birth certificate.
The letter to Richardson ISD points to another instance in which a school district director, Angie Lee, was caught advising parents on how they can flout state law to enroll a boy in female sports competitions.
“RISD has received the public information request from the AG’s Office,” Richardson ISD Executive Director of Communications Tim Clark told Texas Scorecard. “We will comply with responding to the records request in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act.”
RISD closely follows Texas law, including the UIL requirement that student athletes must compete according to the gender on their original birth certificate. The district is not aware of any instance whatsoever where this requirement was not followed in RISD. If any entity has information about a suspected violation of Texas or federal law, they are strongly encouraged to share information with RISD for evaluation and next steps.
Paxton’s office sent similar letters last week to Dallas and Irving ISDs.