Tarrant commissioners honor Carroll ISD for its role in Supreme Court decision
Tarrant County commissioners recognized the Southlake Carroll school district Tuesday for its role in the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that state bans on transgender women and girls competing in female sports do not violate Title IX.
The Carroll school district sued the Education Department in 2024, arguing that the Biden administration exceed its authority when it changed Title IX to add protections for gender identity and sexual orientation.
The district argued that the addition of gender identity undermined Title IX’s original intent to provide equal access to educational programs for women. Title IX is the federal civil rights law that bars sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs.
The case made it to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, but it was not picked up by the Supreme Court. Instead, the Supreme Court took up cases West Virginia v. B.P.J. and Little v. Hecox, which have similar legislative arguments to Carroll’s. In the consolidated cases, the justices ruled that states can legally keep transgender girls and women from being on female sports teams.
Republican Commissioner Matt Krause of Keller recommended the proclamation, saying that it “takes somebody with courage and resolve to say we will not allow that here.”
The commissioners’ proclamation said the school district’s arguments in its 2024 lawsuit against the Education Department informed much of the opinion.
Tarrant County residents spoke on both sides of the argument during public comment Tuesday, some arguing that this was “politically divisive” and others arguing that the school district should be recognized.
Krause said he does not think this is a political issue but an issue of “common sense.”
Resident Deborah Kratky said the proclamation recognizing Carroll ISD is “also politically divisive” and puts a target on transgender people’s backs.
The proclamation passed 3-1 with Democratic Commissioner Roderick Miles voting no. Democratic Commissioner Alisa Simmons was not present at court due to personal reasons.
Carroll school board President Cameron Bryan thanked the commissioners for the recognition. He said the board is always striving for excellence.
