(The Center Square) – On Wednesday night, the Highline School Board in Burien, Wash., adopted a resolution pushing back on recent changes in federal policy.
“Resolution 02-25 Our Schools, Our Promise: A Stand for Every Student” establishes the purpose of the resolution as ensuring “Highline will stand for the rights of all members of our community to live free from harassment, discrimination, and bullying regardless of their identity and personal characteristics.”
In its background information, the resolution refers generally to actions taken at the federal level as potentially violating state or federal law and “causing fear and uncertainty.” It does not cite any particular actions or laws.
The resolution was introduced at the board’s Feb. 19 meeting and discussed and brought up for action at Wednesday’s board meeting.
“We know this work will not stop with the resolution,” said Dr. Ivan Duran, superintendent for the district, after the 3-0 board vote. “This is a wonderful night, and I want to take a moment of privilege here. I know my family is watching at home. Our ancestors came from homes with dirt floors and this resolution is a stand for people like our ancestors.”
The resolution specifically refers to protecting “the immigrant community and the LGBTQIA+ community – especially members of the transgender community.”
The Highline School Board action comes a week after the Tumwater School Board passed a resolution supporting proposed amendments to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association’s policy on transgender athletes. Amendment 7 would create a boys/open division for all student-athletes with sex-based eligibility restrictions for separate girls’ divisions and sports. Amendment 8 proposes three divisions.
In Resolution 09-24-25, the Tumwater School Board cited its support for “equal and fair athletic opportunities for every student” and concluded this could be best achieved by directing the school administration to “support and approve WIAA policy Amendments 7 and 8” with “participation in the ‘Girls Category’ limited to students whose biological sex is female.”
President Trump’s executive order, “No Men in Women’s Sports,” was referenced by Tumwater Board member Jill Adams, who abstained from the 3-1 vote, according to reporting from The Olympian. Trump signed the executive order last month prohibiting transgender women and girls from competing in female sports.
Thirteen school districts and one private school proposed Amendment 7 to the WIAA Handbook, and seven school districts submitted Amendment 8. The WIAA Representative Assembly, consisting of 53 school administrators representing WIAA Districts across the state, will vote on 16 amendments from April 9 through April 18.
