Image Credit: beardenathletics.com
The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
According to court documents obtained by WVLT News, Knox County Schools is being sued by a parent and student for gender discrimination. The plaintiffs argue that Knox County Schools is in violation of Title IX because the school system “routinely allows the infusion of more funds for boys’ sports as compared to girls’ sports.”
Title IX, a 1972 act, states that “no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
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Court documents state, “Knox County Schools funds athletics in a manner that discriminates against Plaintiffs’ daughters and other female athletes.” The suit alleges that Bearden High School charges more for female students to play on the softball team than for male students to play on the baseball team. Female athletes are also required to pay for their own transportation to away games but the male players on the baseball team have no such demands placed on them.
Lawyers for the plaintiffs are asking for injunctive relief for their clients and for Knox County Schools to pay all legal fees.
This isn’t the first time that a lawsuit has been filed against the school system.
Last June, two parents of Karns High School softball players also filed a federal Title IX lawsuit against Knox County Schools. Paige Law and Steve McPherson alleged in that suit that the boys’ baseball and football teams were treated better than the girls’ softball team. Both the baseball and football teams had superior facilities and equipment than the female softball team and the plaintiffs also stated that the boys had access to coaching that the girls did not.
The softball team also had do without access to a press box, locker room, restrooms, or an on-campus coach while the male teams enjoyed the benefits of all of these resources.
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
