The saga surrounding Monarch High School’s handling of a transgender athlete’s participation in girls’ sports reached a crucial juncture this week as a Broward County investigation cleared three senior staff members of any wrongdoing. Principal James Cecil, Assistant Principal Kenneth May, and Athletic Director Dione Hester have resumed their duties at the Coconut Creek institution, following a period of reassignment.
The investigation, initiated by Broward County Public Schools (BCPS), centered on whether the staffers had violated a 2021 Florida state law. The legislation, known as the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, prohibits students assigned male at birth from participating in girls’ sports teams. The controversy erupted after it was discovered that a transgender girl had played on Monarch High School’s girls’ varsity volleyball team for two seasons.
In December 2023, the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) imposed a $16,500 fine on Monarch High School and placed it on administrative probation for a year, citing 33 matches the transgender athlete participated in over two seasons. “The law was passed by the legislature in the state of Florida, was in fact the law,” Lisa Maxwell of the Broward Principals and Assistants Association remarked. “Any and all laws must be and should be respected and followed.”
BCPS spokesperson Keyla Concepcion confirmed that the district’s Special Investigative Unit had cleared the three administrators of the allegations. “The investigation cleared Principal James Cecil, Assistant Principal Kenneth May and Athletic Director Dione Hester of the allegations,” Concepcion stated. “The three employees will resume their responsibilities effective Wednesday, May 22, 2024.”
Despite the clearance of these staff members, the investigation into other aspects of the case is still ongoing. This includes the status of Alex Burgess, a temporary athletic coach, and an unnamed Information Management Specialist, who is reportedly the mother of the transgender student in question.
Parental reactions have been mixed. Tatiana Castro, a parent at Monarch High School, expressed relief at the administrators’ return: “I’m glad he’s back and that the school will be back to normal.” However, Lucianne Oliva, another parent, voiced skepticism, stating, “I really disagree because why not put somebody else.”
“By removing the principal, they thought everything would be solved; I’m glad he is back,” said Nelly Pino, another parent.
Students, meanwhile, appear to be largely supportive of the reinstated staff members. “Happy that my principal is back, feels like everything is back to normal again,” one student told reporters.
The FHSAA’s sanctions included not just the fine but also mandated compliance training for the principal and athletic director. “The three educators were among four Monarch High School employees previously assigned to non-school sites pending the outcome of the BCPS investigation,” read a statement from BCPS.
Relevant articles:
– Administrators at Coconut Creek School Cleared of Allegations in Transgender Athlete Probe – Coconut Creek Talk , Coconut Creek Talk, 05/24/2024
– Suspended Monarch High administrators cleared in trans athlete probe, CBS News, 05/22/2024
– Monarch High principal, staffers to resume responsibilities after transgender athlete probe, NBC Miami, 05/22/2024
– Monarch High School staff cleared of ‘any wrongdoing’ involving transgender athlete’s participation – WSVN 7News, WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale, 05/22/2024
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