According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Great Valley School District is undergoing a Title IX investigation issued by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR). Title IX, as defined by the U.S. Department of Education, is the prohibition of sex-based discrimination in education programs and activities that receive federal finance assistance. The Great Valley investigation is one of 18 nationwide investigations announced involving K-12 school districts and other higher educational establishments.
According to WHYY, the investigation will focus on Great Valley’s policies, which the Great Valley Board of School Directors originally passed in 2016 to ensure equal access for transgender students in sports and other activities. The Philadelphia Inquirer stated that Bruce Chambers, a former Great Valley school board director, sent a complaint objecting the policy to the OCR in March 2025, prompting the investigation.
“The complaints assert that these entities, which range from K-12 school districts to postsecondary education institutions to state departments of education, maintain policies or practices that discriminate on the basis of sex by permitting students to participate in sports based on their ‘gender identity,’ not biological sex,” the OCR said in a Jan. 14 press release discussing the nationwide investigations. “These policies jeopardize both the safety and the equal opportunities of women in educational programs and activities.”
Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Office for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey feels the investigation enforces women’s rights.
“OCR is aggressively pursuing allegations of discrimination against women and girls by entities which reportedly allow males to compete in women’s sports,” Richey said in the Jan. 14 press release. “We will leave no stone unturned in these investigations to uphold women’s right to equal access in education programs — a fight that started over half a century ago and is far from finished.”
Great Valley’s school board president Rachel Gallegos stated at a school board meeting that the district takes serious responsibility to follow federal rulings. In addition to administrative officials, the investigation has had a significant impact on students in the area. Junior and GSA president Sam Lienert feels the investigation is a time of worry for the LGBTQ+ community, but sees strength in unity.
“We’ve always overcome, and if anybody needs any resources, the GSA is here, teachers are here, we are all here to help you,” Lienert said. “This is difficult, disgusting, and it shouldn’t be swept under the rug so don’t make yourself feel small. Don’t belittle any of the problems you’re facing because you, these people matter. You matter.”
This is a developing story.
Tvisha Jani can be reached at [email protected].
