Dover Area school board approves gender-based athletic policy and tables another policy

The Dover Area School District board approved a policy detailing sex-based distinctions in athletics and postponed a vote on a policy regarding transgender students.

Policy 123.3, or sex-based distinctions in athletics, does not prevent students from participating in sports due to their race, religion or gender identity, though there are several stipulations. This policy went through its first reading on May 14, 2024, and second reading on June 20, 2024.

The policy passed in a 7-2.

“The district recognizes that a student’s sex is irrelevant for the majority of educational decisions and will therefore almost never be the basis of differential treatment,” the policy states.

More: Dover Area schools proposed gender identity policy debated at board meeting

The policy also states that athletic teams or sports originally designed for "females," "women," or "girls" “shall not be open to students of the male sex, and athletic teams or sports designated for "males," "men," or "boys" shall not be open to students of the female sex.

Outlined toward the end of the policy is a zero-tolerance policy, in which students and adults are expected to be “respectful and welcoming to all students regardless of gender identity or any other class, and violations are subject to discipline under existing policies including, but not limited to, the harassment, hazing and bullying policies.”

A second policy, titled 216.2 Student Records - name, sex, and gender identity, was the main topic of discussion during the public comment portion of the meeting, and was tabled for further revision by the district’s legal team before voting.

Policy 216.2 states that it "ensures that the fundamental right of parents to direct the education of their children is respected and that material information about a student's mental, emotional, or physical health is not withheld from parents/guardians."

Though there were motions by two board members to reject tabling the policy, the board voted 7-2 vote to postpone the decision for later consideration following one more revision.

Though the board did not vote on the policy, it could vote at next month’s meeting.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Dover Area school board approves gender-based athletic policy and tables another policy