North Cook News

Laurie Higgins, a writer for Breakthrough Ideas, has expressed concerns over what she describes as an "attack" on girls at James B. Conant High School. This follows the inclusion of a 6’4" biological freshman on the girls' volleyball team and their access to girls' facilities, including locker rooms and bathrooms.

"Another callous attack on girls' rights, privacy, and safety is taking place at Illinois District 211's Conant High School, which serves students in Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Roselle, and Hoffman Estates," said Higgins. "An incoming freshman boy with no volleyball experience made the freshman girls team, beating out forty-five girls. The fact that he is reportedly 6'4” tall may have a wee bit to do with his wild success. And what he wants is to force all the world—and especially all the girls at Conant—to pretend along with him that he is a girl."

According to Higgins, District 211's decision to allow a "transgender" freshman male onto the girls’ volleyball team at Conant High School constitutes a significant violation of girls’ rights to fairness, privacy, and safety. She argues that the student's height and physical advantages unfairly displace female athletes and accuses the district of prioritizing fear of lawsuits over protecting girls. Higgins further claims that allowing males in female facilities places young girls in uncomfortable and unsafe situations.

Julie Nowak, Principal at James B. Conant High School | adc.d211.org

Higgins references past incidents, such as an injury sustained by North Carolina athlete Payton McNabb by a "transgender" player, as evidence of risks when schools overlook biological sex in sports. She asserts that sex-separated spaces are essential for privacy and safety, stating that ignoring these boundaries undermines girls' dignity and rights. "It’s neither compassionate, respectful, just, nor rational to tell girls that if they don’t want to undress, shower, or go to the bathroom in the presence of male peers, they should use special private spaces created by ignorant and cruel school leaders," Higgins said. "Girls’ restrooms, locker rooms, and showers are the girls’ special private spaces."

Higgins criticizes District 211 leaders and board members for lacking respect for biological sex's significance. She also mentions potential internal dissent signaled by longtime coach Drewann Reibel's resignation while criticizing board member Kim Cavill for advancing progressive causes.

According to Off the Press on X (formerly Twitter), Karen Powers, an Illinois mother, addressed this issue at a school board meeting. Powers stated she was "disgusted at how this district has chosen to dismiss the safety of these young girls as well as the safety of the young girls of the opposing teams that they will be playing." She claims that the district is violating a Federal Executive Order prohibiting biological males from competing in female sports.

Laurie Higgins is identified as a culture and education writer for Breakthrough Ideas on their website.