A federal court recently suspended new Title IX rules in Iowa, and the Pella School Board has reverted back to previous policy until final decisions are made.

The Pella School Board narrowly decided to move ahead with new Title IX policies based on recent federal changes to the rule governing discrimination and harassment procedures in school districts, but that was a conditional move made on July 25th.

A motion was approved 3-2 to adopt the new standards, as recommended by the Iowa Association of School Boards and the school district’s legal counsel. The reason for the reluctance was language included in the text about gender identity as a protected class from bullying, discrimination, and harassment.

Superintendent Greg Ebeling says that was a direct result of the new rule approved by the U.S. Department of Education, which is facing various legal challenges.

There were several concerns relayed by Board Members Jesse Peterson and Travis Thompson, who voted against the measure. Chief among them was protecting girls sports from having boys participating; however, Superintendent Greg Ebeling said they will adhere to IHSAA and IGHSAU rules that prevent it, based on state law.

Peterson also brought up worries about classroom instruction, but Ebeling said during the July meeting that it wouldn’t be impacted. He did still say his concerns extended to personal spaces and locker rooms.

“It’s more than just sports, it’s all of those things that gave me hesitation for that,” he told KNIA/KRLS.

There is no discussion scheduled at today’s Pella School Board meeting.

Find audio from the July meeting here: