Priority 1: Fairness and Advocacy for Female Athletes

Ephrata School Board Statement:

The Ephrata School District Board of Directors affirms its commitment to equity, student safety and fair competition in school athletics. We believe strongly in advocating for the rights of all students, and we are especially committed to ensuring that the rights and opportunities of female student-athletes are preserved and protected.

Under current Washington state and Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) policy, transgender females - those who were biologically male at birth - are permitted to compete in girls' sports. While we recognize our legal obligation to follow these policies, we also believe it is essential to advocate for the rights of biologically female athletes, whose access to fair and equitable competition may be impacted by these regulations.

We respect the complexity of this issue and the dignity of all students, but we also believe that acknowledging biological differences in athletic competition is critical to upholding fairness and protecting the integrity of girls' and women's sports.

As such, the Ephrata School District will make it a legislative priority to advocate for policies that ensure competitive equity for biologically female athletes. We are committed to engaging in this advocacy thoughtfully and respectfully, always centering student well-being and the principles of fairness and inclusion.