America First Legal filed a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Education, accusing Westerly Public Schools in Rhode Island of facilitating student gender transitions without notifying parents. The conservative legal group argues that the district's 2017 policy violates federal civil rights laws by allowing school officials to change student names, pronouns, and records based on gender identity rather than biological sex.
Ian Prior, senior counsel at America First Legal, stated that the policy tramples on parental rights and creates an environment where male students claiming to be female receive privileges while female students are excluded. The group is urging the Trump administration to investigate the district and enforce compliance with federal parental notification requirements.
The complaint highlights specific language in the Westerly Public Schools guidance for secondary students. The document states that notifying parents about a student's gender identity or transition is generally unnecessary because parents are assumed to be aware and supportive. However, it acknowledges that some students do not want their parents to know about their transgender status. In those cases, the policy directs school administration to seek direction from the superintendent if notifying the family carries risks for the student. The administration must then assess the degree of family involvement while considering the student's age, health, well-being, and safety.
America First Legal alleges that this approach violates the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) by withholding information from parents and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) by allowing certain evaluations without consent. The group further claims the policy contravenes Title IX by letting students access facilities and athletic activities according to their identified gender, a move it says jeopardizes the privacy, safety, and competitive chances of girls.
This filing is part of a broader effort by America First Legal to challenge school policies it believes infringe on parental rights. The group previously developed resources in 2022 to help parents use the PPRA to hold schools accountable. It pointed to a recent lawsuit filed by the Trump administration against Kansas City Public Schools in Kansas, which involved similar allegations regarding undisclosed gender transitions and violations of FERPA and the PPRA.
The Department of Justice confirmed it received the complaint and will review it. A spokesperson for the department stated that it is committed to enforcing Title IX and protecting the fundamental right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children. The Department of Education told Fox News Digital that it does not confirm complaints. Westerly Public Schools did not respond to requests for comment.