A school district in Maine has reversed its stance on allowing transgender students to participate in girls sports, marking another local response to the ongoing debate over gender and athletics in the state.
On Tuesday, the board of directors for Regional School Unit (RSU) No. 24 voted 7–1 to repeal a policy that permitted student athletes to compete based on their gender identity. The now-rescinded policy, known as Policy JB, stated that “students shall be able to participate in accordance with the gender identity asserted at school.”
“After respectful deliberation, the RSU No. 24 Board of Directors voted 7–1 to rescind Policy JB — Transgender and Gender-Expansive Students,” Superintendent Michael Eastman announced. “The change takes effect immediately. We’re grateful for the community participation and the input shared during the meeting.”
RSU No. 24 oversees five public schools in Sullivan, located in Hancock County — a region that voted for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, 52.9% to 45.3%.
This move follows similar action from other districts. In mid-April, Maine School Administrative District (MSAD) No. 70’s board unanimously voted to align its policies with a traditional interpretation of Title IX, recognizing only two sexes — male and female — and mandating that school facilities and sports teams be organized by biological sex.
Superintendent Tyler Putnam explained that the board’s decision directs him to update the district’s policies accordingly. “It is my interpretation that the board wants athletic participation and access to private spaces to be determined by biological sex,” Putnam said. “These changes will be reviewed by the policy committee before final approval.”
This issue has become a legal flashpoint. The U.S. Department of Justice has filed suit against Maine, citing the state’s failure to align with former President Trump’s executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.” Since 2005, Maine has permitted transgender athletes to compete according to gender identity under the Maine Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on gender identity.
The Maine Principals’ Association reaffirmed its support for transgender athletes in 2024 by updating its policy to clearly allow students to compete on teams that match their gender identity. Governor Janet Mills and the Democratic leadership in the state have stood by that approach, defending transgender athletes’ right to participate in girls sports and use facilities aligned with their gender identity.
Still, opposition is mounting. Several protests have taken place, including demonstrations at the state Capitol, as parents and activists voice concerns about fairness and safety in girls sports. The debate intensified after a transgender athlete at North Yarmouth Academy won two races — the 800- and 1600-meter — at a recent girls track meet, finishing significantly ahead of her competitors.
Public opinion appears to lean toward limiting girls sports to biological females. A recent survey by the American Parents Coalition found that 63% of roughly 600 registered Maine voters support basing sports participation on biological sex. Among those polled, 66% agreed that restricting girls and women’s sports to biological females is “only fair.” Support was also high among parents of minors (66%) and political independents (64%).
As the legal and political battles continue, local school boards across Maine are increasingly taking independent action to reshape policies affecting transgender students and athletics.
