U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights Finds Two Oldham County High Schools Do Not Provide Equal Facilities for Female Athletes as Required by Title IX

(Washington, D.C.) An investigation by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) found that two Oldham County, KY high schools do not provide equal locker room facilities for female athletes, as required by Title IX. Title IX is the federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in federally-funded education programs, including athletics. The investigation was the result of a complaint filed by a father, Dick Richards, on behalf of his daughter and other girls in Oldham County.

The following is a statement by Neena Chaudhry, Senior Counsel for Education and Employment at the National Women’s Law Center in Washington D.C., an advocacy organization representing Mr. Richards in this complaint:

“The resolution of this complaint is a victory for girls in Oldham County. The school district now must produce a plan that will provide equal facilities for the boys’ and girls’ sports teams. Mr. Richards’ willingness to stand up on behalf of girls is to be applauded, and it reminds us that while girls have made great strides in athletics because of Title IX, there is still much work to be done to level the playing field.

“Last November, the National Women’s Law Center filed a separate complaint with OCR against Oldham County Schools, which is under investigation for failing to provide girls with equal opportunities to play sports in violation of Title IX.”

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