Dept. of Education sends ‘final warning’ to Maine over transgender athletes

The Maine Department of Education is facing a new deadline after receiving what the U.S. Department of Education is calling a final warning to comply with President Trump's executive order banning biological males from girls' sports

The Department of Education sent a letter Monday giving Maine until April 11th to sign the compliance or it will send the case to the Department of Justice

Maine officials originally had until March 29th to sign an agreement. changing state law and policies to not allow transgender females to compete

But according to the regional director of the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights

Bradley Burke, they are refusing to discuss a resolution. The Trump administration said earlier this month

the main Department of Education, main principals association, and a high school

were each in violation of Trump's interpretation of Title IX, a law against sex discrimination in education

The federal investigation came after a public dispute between Trump and Maine's Democratic governor, Janet Mills

So you better comply because otherwise you're not getting any federal funding

Every state. Good, I'll see you in court. I look forward to that. That should be a real easy one

The department says the deal aligns with President Trump's executive order from January

saying the government will only recognize two sexes that are deterred. determined at conception In a statement last week a school district which includes the high school found to be in violation of Title IX said it would not be signing the agreement citing the main Human Rights Act which bans discrimination based on gender identity

Adding, quote, to our students, thank you for your maturity, perseverance, and dedication to learning

through these distractions. Please continue to lead the way. The Maine Principles Association also

refused to sign the agreement based on the state's Human Rights Act

Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins said in a statement obtained by Fox News

it is critically important to treat people who are transgender with respect and dignity

But that does not change the fact that Title IX, which was passed in 1972

has greatly expanded opportunities for girls and young women to participate in organized sports

at the high school and college levels. It did so in part by mandating equal access to athletic resources and facilities

on the basis of sex, not on the basis of gender identity

Safe and fair athletic competition has been one of the keys to the success of Title IX

That is why I do not believe that transgender athletes should compete in girls and women's athletics

Collins went on to say she will advocate for Maine to receive its fair share of federal funding

but she supports the original intent behind Title IX. Maine's Department of Education has not responded to the Department of Education

updated deadline. For Straight Arrow News, I'm Kara Rucker. For all your latest news headlines

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