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The Trump administration is set to withhold $24 million in grants from three major public school districts due to their transgender bathroom policies. The U.S. Education Department's Office for Civil Rights informed New York City Schools, Chicago Public Schools, and Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia that they must change their policies or lose funding for specialty magnet schools. The districts were given until Tuesday (September 23) to comply but did not meet the deadline.
The Education Department, led by acting assistant secretary for civil rights Craig Trainor, stated that the current policies violate Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in education. Trainor emphasized that the districts' practices allow students to access restrooms and locker rooms corresponding with their gender identity, which the department sees as a violation.
As a result, Fairfax County schools will lose $3.4 million, Chicago schools will forfeit $5.8 million, and New York City schools will miss out on $15 million in Magnet School Assistance Program funding. The department also demanded that New York City and Chicago schools issue public statements against allowing males to compete in female athletic programs.
According to NBC News, Chicago schools criticized the department for not providing evidence of harm and for acting outside its complaint procedures. New York City schools expressed concern over the funding cut, stating it would impact specialized curricula and programs for underserved communities.
New York City's Mayor Eric Adams suggested a review of the policy, though he noted the state's human rights law allows students to use facilities aligning with their gender identity. Adams' office is considering litigation to challenge the federal decision, emphasizing the importance of protecting resources for the city's students.