The South Washington County School Board approved Policy 102 regarding equal opportunity education Thursday evening despite opposition from two board members who raised concerns about potential impacts on female student athletes.

Board members Eric Tesmer and Pat Driscoll voted against the policy, expressing concerns about allowing students with "male genes and male anatomy" into women's sports and locker rooms. Tesmer requested the policy be tabled for further discussion, while Driscoll urged the board to delay approval to better understand potential risks to the district and female students.

Board Chair Katie Schwarz noted that neither member had raised concerns during the policy's first reading at the January 2nd workshop meeting or during the required one-week review period. The policy, written in conjunction with Minnesota School Boards Association standards and Minnesota statute regarding athletic programs and sex discrimination, ultimately passed with the majority of board members voting in favor.

In other business, the board approved certificates of participation totaling $8.98 million to finance a special education transition program facility. The financing, handled through Key Bank Capital Markets at a 4.03% interest rate, came in under the authorized $9.445 million limit and $300,000 less than recent estimates.

The board also accepted the 2023-24 audit results, which showed the district received a clean opinion from auditing firm MMKR, and established 2025 board committee assignments. Student ambassadors from Liberty Ridge Elementary, Oltman Middle School, and Easteridge High School shared their experiences and perspectives with the board during the meeting.