North Cook News

Karen Powers, a parent in District 211, expressed her outrage after a 6-foot-4 biological male with no volleyball experience was placed on the girls' team. She said that this decision denied female athletes opportunities and led to the resignation of a longtime coach. Powers made her statement to the school board.

"I am disgusted at the way this district has dismissed the safety of these young girls as well as the safety of the young girls of the opposing teams that they will be playing," said Powers. "I am disgusted that the district is robbing these young women of athletic opportunities, not only at the high school level, but potential opportunities to compete at the collegiate level. The district is in direct violation of a Federal Executive order and risks losing their federal funding. The boy in question is 6'4'' and has zero volleyball experience yet somehow managed to make the team."

According to Off the Press on X, at a District 211 Board of Education meeting, parents were upset after a biological male was selected for the girls’ volleyball team at Conant High School. Powers, one of several parents who spoke, said the freshman's placement on the team unfairly displaces female athletes, leaving them "robbed" of opportunities to compete. She emphasized that the issue is about fairness and safety for girls, saying it is not their responsibility to feel uncomfortable "for the sake of a boy pretending to be a girl."

Karen Powers speaks at school board meeting | x.com/OffThePress1

The District 211 board meeting saw participation from parents, activists, and politicians discussing the controversy. According to the Daily Herald, nine speakers opposed allowing a transgender student on the girls’ volleyball team while eight others supported both the district’s policies and the student. The meeting turned contentious when police removed two women following an argument in the audience. Citizens 4 Kids Education (C4KE) helped mobilize opponents who raised concerns about fairness and potential injuries. Supporters argued that transgender athletes are not uniquely responsible for sports injuries.

Democratic Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison supported the transgender student and cautioned against demonizing such students, as reported by the Daily Herald.

James B. Conant High School, established in 1964 and located in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, is part of Township High School District 211 and serves grades 9–12.