Rhode Island District Accused of Concealing Students’ Gender Changes From Parents
WHO:
NY Post - America First Legal (AFL) filed a complaint against Westerly Public Schools over its policy on student gender transitions.
Fox News - AFL filed a formal complaint with the U.S. Departments of Justice and Education. AFL senior counsel Ian Prior said the policy “blatantly violates federal law, tramples on parents’ rights, and embraces radical gender ideology.”
Fox News - The Justice Department said it had received the complaint and would review it. A spokesperson said the department does not confirm or deny investigations and is committed to enforcing Title IX and protecting parents’ right to direct their children’s upbringing and education.
Fox News - The Education Department said it does not confirm complaints. Westerly Public Schools was contacted for comment.
NY Post - The Education Department said ethnic studies activities asked students about sexual orientation, race, health and family finances without parental consent, possibly violating federal privacy law.
WHAT:
Fox News - America First Legal said the policy gives male students claiming to be female “every privilege” while “actual female students are shoved aside.”
Fox News - America First Legal said it was seeking an outcome similar to the Trump administration’s lawsuit against Kansas City Public Schools, which alleged undisclosed student gender transitions and violations of FERPA and PPRA.
NY Post - The Education Department said ethnic studies activities asked students about race, health and family finances, as well as sexual orientation, without parental consent; it said the activities may violate federal privacy law.
NY Post - AFL accused Westerly Public Schools of concealing students’ gender transitions from parents.
Fox News - AFL alleged the district’s policy allows staff to facilitate changes to students’ names, pronouns and school records without notifying or obtaining consent from parents.
Fox News - AFL alleged students may use bathrooms and locker rooms and participate in sports according to gender identity rather than biological sex; students who object must seek separate accommodations.
Fox News - AFL alleged violations of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) and Title IX. It asked the administration to investigate, require policy changes and ensure compliance with federal law.
Fox News - The district policy defines gender identity as a person’s “deeply held sense or psychological knowledge of their own gender,” which may be the same as or different from the gender assigned at birth.
Fox News - The policy says parent notification is “generally” unnecessary, but directs school administrators to consult the superintendent when a student does not want parents informed. If notification is considered risky, schools should assess family involvement with the student and consider the student’s age, health, well-being and safety.
WHERE:
Fox News - The complaint concerns Westerly Public Schools in Westerly, Rhode Island, including Westerly High School.
WHEN:
Fox News - The district adopted the transgender student policy in 2017.
WHY:
Fox News - America First Legal cited its parent-focused resources developed in 2022 to help families use the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment to hold schools accountable.
Fox News - AFL said it was challenging the policy over alleged violations of federal law and parental rights, and argued that its rules could affect female students’ privacy, safety and athletic opportunities.
HOW:
Fox News - The policy directs administrators to seek the superintendent’s guidance and to consider student safety and circumstances when deciding whether to notify a student’s family.
(UPDATED October 24, 2026 03:04 UTC)
America First Legal has filed a complaint with the Justice and Education departments over Westerly Public Schools’ policy on student gender transitions, alleging violations of federal law and parents’ rights. The group says staff can change students’ names, pronouns and school records without parental notice or consent, and allow students to use facilities and join sports based on gender identity. It also alleges the policy makes students who object seek separate accommodations. Adopted in 2017, the policy says parents generally need not be notified and directs administrators to consult the superintendent when a student opposes informing family. Officials are told to consider safety and other circumstances. The Education Department also raised concerns about ethnic studies activities asking students about personal matters without parental consent, potentially violating privacy law. Justice officials say they received the complaint and will review it; the district was contacted for comment.
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(UPDATED October 23, 2026 23:17 UTC)
America First Legal has filed a federal complaint against Westerly Public Schools in Rhode Island, accusing the district of concealing students’ gender transitions from parents and violating federal law. The group says the policy lets staff change students’ names, pronouns and school records without parental notice or consent. It also objects to rules allowing students to use bathrooms, locker rooms and sports programs based on gender identity, while requiring students who object to seek separate accommodations. Adopted in 2017, the policy says parent notification is generally unnecessary and directs administrators to consult the superintendent when a student does not want family informed. It also calls for considering the student’s safety and circumstances. America First Legal alleges violations of Title IX and federal student privacy laws, and wants an investigation and policy changes.