KLLF Sues School District for Sex Discrimination

Last week, KLLF filed a lawsuit to stop a New York school district from giving failing grades to middle school students who cannot participate in mandatory swim class due to their periods. You can read the Complaint here.

The Complaint alleges that Indian River Central School District (IRCSD) gives students a “0/5” grade for every swim class that they miss due to menstruation. Students who are unable to swim during their period sit on the sidelines—shamed and humiliated—and watch their classmates swim. They are required to make up the class to redeem a passing grade. Meanwhile, students who temporarily miss swim class for other reasons, such as an injury, are excused, do not receive a 0/5 grade, and do not have to attend a make-up classes.

The Complaint further alleges that IRCSD officials know that their policy is discriminatory yet have done nothing to stop it.

In addition to filing the Complaint, KLLF filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to stop IRCSD’s discriminatory policy while the lawsuit is pending. KLLF attorneys Alanna Kaufman and Kyla Magun represent the parents of two IRCSD middle schoolers on behalf of their daughters and all other similarly situated students in the district.