Trump admin intervenes in dispute between WA Superintendent and La Center Schools over pronoun policy
Apr 15, 2025, 9:25 AM
Sign for La Center Elementary and Middle School. (Photo courtesy of La Center School District)
(Photo courtesy of La Center School District)
The La Center School District, which has approximately 1,800 students throughout Clark County, is embroiled in a conflict over its preferred pronoun policy between the state of Washington and the Trump administration. Now, the the U.S. Department of Education is investigating Washington’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).
OSPI previously investigated the La Center School District. It found that the district discriminated against students and families with its approach to gender inclusivity. Washington’s policy, adopted in 2020, for gender inclusion is to have students tell staff their preferred pronouns.聽However, within the La Center School District, staff were prohibited from asking students what their preferred gender pronouns are.
RELATED STORIES
Under the district policy, if a student shares their preferred pronouns to faculty, staff should report it to the student’s parents or guardians “so that the parents/guardians may provide appropriate support for their children.鈥� The staff was also instructed to use the preferred pronouns with the student.
OSPI gave the district 45 days to draw up new gender identity-related guidelines that follow state law. The district appealed the findings last month.
Now the federal government is involved
The Department of Education alleged that OSPI is violating the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment, and Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in schools that receive federal funding, according to .
Education Secretary Linda McMahon told schools they must abide by the law “if they expect federal funding to continue.”
OSPI’s counter is that the Department of Education is potentially overstepping its authority. A timeline of the conflict can be found on the .
This is not the first investigation into the state. The Department of Education is also looking into the Tumwater School District for allowing transgender girls participate athletic competitions against biological girls. The Kennewick School Board has asked for a similar investigation.
Follow Frank Sumrall .听厂别苍诲听news tips here.
