A Vermont Christian school forfeited a playoff game in February due to growing concerns about the safety of its girl’s basketball team as it was scheduled to face off against a team with a biological male in the lineup. Since basketball is a contact spot, administrators did not see fit for their girls to play against the physically stronger competitor.
Now, the Vermont Principal’s association has decided that the school, Mid Vermont Christian School, will no longer be allowed to participate in tournaments due to its forfeit. The VPA released a statement that details the decision, saying:
“The VPA is committed to providing all students with the opportunity to participate in VPA
activities in a manner consistent with their gender identity as is outlined in the Vermont
Agency of Education Best Practices For Schools For Transgender And Gender
Nonconforming Students. Vermont’s Public Accommodations Act (9 V.S.A. 4502) and
VPA policies prohibit discrimination and/or harassment of students on school property or
at school functions by students or employees. The prohibition against discrimination
includes discrimination based on a student’s actual or perceived sex and gender.”
Mid Vermont Christian School spoke to Fox News Digital to voice their displeasure with the decision that the VPA made. They say that the opposing school failed to notify them of this possible issue far enough in advance. A school statement reads:
“Mid Vermont Christian school is disappointed with the decision of the VPA Executive Council to ban us from participation in all VPA activities. We intend to appeal the decision. Canceling our membership is not a solution and does nothing to deal with the very real issue of safety and fairness facing women’s sports in our beloved state. We urge the VPA to reconsider its policies, and balance the rights of every athlete in the state.”
To their credit, Mid Vermont Christian School stood firmly in beliefs immediately following their decision, which was met by an uproar of displeasure from opponents of the move. Head of School Vicky Fogg wrote an email to Valley News in February, saying:
“We believe playing against an opponent with a biological male jeopardizes the fairness of the game and the safety of our players. Allowing biological males to participate in women’s sports sets a bad precedent for the future of women’s sports in general.”
The player that concerned the school officials had a great season on the court, according to Aaron Warner of the Vermont Daily Chronicle. Warner, a basketball trainer, said this about the player:
“Johnson’s nickname is also Rose “Not in This House” Johnson for his prowess in blocking shots. In one game he had seven blocked shots. That means seven shots, typically closer to the basket so much more likely to go in, were blocked by the guy who is taller than every other girl on the floor, can jump higher and likely is significantly stronger. In what world is this even remotely fair to other Vermont Division IV girls?”
This story will be an interesting one to keep an eye on. It’s yet to be seen if either side will blink in this matter, but Mid Vermont Christian School and the Vermont Principals’ Association have engaged in a game of chicken over this matter that will set precedent for school boards in other states.
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