Defending Parental Rights

By Rep. Dan Newhouse and Gabe Galbraith

Over the past months, cases of potential Title IX violations in Central Washington have been brought to light, and the issue has reached a breaking point for parents across our region. As school administrators, teachers, and parents raise their concerns publicly, the Washington state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has refused to end their absurd gender policies and is working hard to keep parents in the dark. 

In a critical step towards ending this unacceptable standard, the United States Departments of Education and Justice launched an investigation into OSPI and have taken a stand against forcing gender politics on students in Washington classrooms and sports. As your Representative in Congress and as the President of the Kennewick School Board, we wholistically support this investigation and urge a swift resolution.

This is the first-ever joint investigation under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. These laws were implemented to protect students, parents, and ensure fairness both in the classroom and athletic competitions. OSPI’s efforts to prevent schools from reporting to parents that their child has changed gender and allowing biological boys to compete against girls in high school sports are beyond the pale. These are blatant attacks on parental rights and fairness in athletics. 

State Superintendent Chris Reykdal is actively and maliciously ignoring President Trump’s executive order “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports”, and in turn threatening federal funding to school districts that comply with OSPI but not the executive order. This funding is make-or-break for many districts in Central Washington, and Superintendent Reykdal must immediately reverse course and change OSPI’s policies. 

School districts including Kennewick, Moses Lake, Warden, Tumwater and Gonzaga Prep have bravely stood up against the state’s policies. We stand with every parent, teacher, and coach who refuse to sit idle while their taxpayer dollars pay for the implementation of these fringe ideologies. We will continue to advocate for transparency between schools and parents who are protected under laws designed for student success, and we will not stop fighting to protect the women in our communities.

Gabe Galbraith serves as the Kennewick School Board President. He was elected to Position 2 in November of 2021. Married to Stephanie, a Kennewick School District teacher, they have three children, one that is currently attending school in the Kennewick School District and two recent graduates. Gabe is a proud veteran of the U.S Marine Corps.