Parent-led Coalition Rallies Behind Jeffco School Board’s Commitment to Transgender Students

Ahead of this week’s Jeffco Public Schools Board of Education meeting, community members are showing up in force to back the district’s continued commitment to inclusive policies protecting transgender and nonbinary students.

The U.S. Department of Education’s threats to pull over $50 million in federal funding has placed the district, its educators, and its students in an extraordinarily difficult position. Engage Jeffco commended the district’s decision to defend its inclusive policies, reject what it called unsupported allegations regarding Title IX compliance, and uphold Colorado’s anti-discrimination protections. The board has filed a lawsuit to seek court guidance.

A letter of support organized by Engage Jeffco, a local parent and caregiver advocacy group, has now been signed by more than 480 community members, organizations, and elected officials. The letter thanks the Board for standing firm on the district’s inclusive policies amid pressure from the U.S. Department of Education, which has threatened to strip Jeffco of federal funding over its Title IX compliance.

“Public schools should never be used as political leverage,” said Caitlin Fitzpatrick, co-founder of Engage Jeffco. “Jeffco’s students shouldn’t be forced to pay the price for a national political fight, and our most vulnerable students should never be made into political targets. We whole-heartedly support the Board of Education in protecting every student, defending our public schools, and serving this community.”

Supporters plan to gather for a rally outside the Jeffco Education Center starting at 4 p.m. before the board meeting on Thursday, August 20, to show support for the board’s stance on protecting all students. Engage Jeffco says it will continue advocating for the district’s inclusive policies as the standoff with federal officials continues.

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About Engage Jeffco

Engage Jeffco Schools is a volunteer group of parents and caregivers that want to partner with the district to ensure that all children have equitable access to a high-quality public education.