Betty Rosa, the state education commissioner, has put a stay order on a Locust Valley School District’s October resolution to implement the federal definition of Title IX, which denies transgender students access to their preferred locker rooms and bathrooms.
Locust Valley became the second Nassau County school district to reject state regulations and adopt the federal guidelines, following the Massapequa school district’s adoption of a similar resolution on Sept. 9.
Rosa ruled in October that Massapequa cannot enforce its new policy following an appeal by the New York Civil Liberties Union, which is representing the parents of a Massapequa transgender student.
The Massapequa School District responded to its stay order by appealing and filing a federal lawsuit against a student’s parents, as well as Rosa and other state officials.
Rosa said Locust Valley’s and Massapequa’s policies are nearly identical, which is why she joined the two districts together into Massapequa’s appeal and put a temporary stay order on Locust Valley’s policy, according to the November order
“Locust Valley is stayed from enforcing its October 15, 2025, resolution pending a final decision in the administrative appeal of [the Massapequa School District’s appeal],” the order stated.
The Locust Valley Board of Education sent a letter to community members following the stay order, saying the district is pursuing further legal counsel.
“The district continues to navigate a complex and evolving legal landscape shaped by federal and state mandates. We also remain committed to protecting the rights of all students in our district as well as preserving the state and federal funding that sustains our high-quality educational programs,” the letter stated.
The Locust Valley Board of Education had unanimously adopted a resolution to implement the federal definition of Title IX, which requires students to use gendered facilities based on their sex assigned at birth, at its Oct. 15 meeting.
The adopted resolution states that “the district accepts federal funds and, therefore, is obligated to comply with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (‘Title IX’). Accordingly, the District’s policy regarding bathrooms and locker rooms are under Title IX’s purview.”
The federal policy, which defines “sex” as biological sex, conflicts with the state’s definition of Title IX, which permits transgender students access to gendered locker rooms and bathrooms that they feel most comfortable in, according to the board. The board said the adopted resolution “commits to amending or abolishing” the district’s existing policy that follows a less restrictive state law, opting to adhere to the federal law.
“The board recognizes that it is required to abide by laws established by New York just as it is required to adhere to the United States Constitution and applicable federal law. The board recognizes that each government can impose sanctions upon this district for failure to adhere to applicable law,” the school board said in a statement at the time that the policy was passed.
“The board of education of Locust Valley Central School District mandates that students shall be permitted to participate in physical education and sports that correspond with the student’s sex as defined by Title IX,” Locust Valley Board of Education President George Vasiliou previously said.
The Locust Valley board had also voted to abolish policies on AIDS/HIV education at the same October meeting.
At a September board meeting, the Locust Valley school board said adopting the federal policy may impact the district’s state funding, which counts for approximately $5 million in the budget.
