Another Maine school district is defying Democratic governor Janet Mills in the ongoing fight over transgender athletes in women’s sports.
Maine has been at the epicenter of controversy after President Trump signed an executive order aimed at ‘Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports’. It came after years of controversy involving athletes such as Blaire Fleming and Lia Thomas.
Back in February, Mills had a now-infamous run-in with the president during a White House meeting, when she told Trump ‘see you in court’ over his threat to withdraw federal funding if Maine did not comply with his ban.
The feud has continued, with Maine currently being sued by the Department of Justice over its refusal to ban transgender athletes.
But on Tuesday, the board of the Maine Region School Unit voted to ditch a policy that states: ‘Students shall be able to participate in accordance with the gender identity asserted at school.’
‘At its meeting last night, after respectful deliberation, the RSU No. 24 Board of Directors voted 7-1 (one director was absent) to rescind Policy JB — Transgender and Gender-Expansive Students,’ superintendent Michael Eastman told Fox News.
‘This change will take place immediately. We appreciate the turnout last evening and thank those residents who addressed the board with their thoughts regarding the policy.’
RSU No 24 oversees five public schools in Hancock County, an area that backed Trump in last year’s presidential election.
Last month, the MSAD No 70 School Board last month voted to comply with Title IX, ‘recognizing only two sexes – biological male and biological female – and that all private spaces be separated by biological sex’.
As a result, school officials said transgender athletes would now be prevented from competing in girl’s sports.
Mills and state leaders have faced protests over their commitment to allowing transgender athletes to compete with girls and share their locker rooms.
The issue made headlines again last week, after a transgender athlete reportedly dominated their rivals at a track meet.
