Former Kennebunk High School teacher and football coach Joe Rafferty spoke in favor of allowing transgender athletes to compete in sports. Contributed / RSU 21 screenshot

The RSU 21 School Board said at a Feb. 24 meeting that it will continue to allow transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports.

Superintendent Dr. Terri Cooper said the board is committed to upholding Maine laws that protect students, including allowing transgender athletes to compete on the team that they identify with.

“Whether they are transgender, of different racial backgrounds, religions, or any identity that makes them uniquely who they are, every student deserves to feel safe, valued, and supported in our schools,” Cooper said.

Board chair Matthew Stratford also acknowledged the district’s priority of ensuring RSU 21 remains a “safe, supportive, and welcoming environment.”

“Every student should feel valued, respected, and fully able to participate and thrive in their educational activities and school activity free from harassment and discrimination,” Stratford said.

The discussion around transgender athletes in the community escalated last month, when Kennebunk resident Tom Moyer asked the school board to ban transgender athletes from competing in sports.

Moyer reiterated his opinion at last week’s meeting, stating that sports organized for girls should be limited for girls.

“Boys whose internal identity is female, and adults affirming that identity, should realize there are limits to how much of the genuine female experience is available to these boys,” Moyer said.

Other residents disagreed.

Kennebunk resident and parent Jessica Price said the argument against allowing transgender athletes to compete in sports is “fear-based.”

“There are plenty of parents like myself in Kennebunk, and in this district, that support trans kids staying in sports,” Price said.

Former Kennebunk High School teacher and football coach, and current Maine Sen. Joseph Rafferty also spoke in support of transgender athletes, stating that every student has to be treated equally, fairly, and must be protected.

“No matter what, we need to be there for every kid,” Rafferty said.

Rafferty also addressed a common argument made by Moyer, which is that allowing transgender girls to use the girls’ locker rooms is dangerous.

“Most kids don’t even use locker rooms anymore. I know it,” Rafferty said. “I couldn’t get my guys after football games to take showers. They just don’t do it.”

The discussion around transgender athletes in RSU 21 comes at a time when the United States itself is considering the idea of allowing transgender students to compete in sports.

Last month, President Donald Trump issued an executive order banning transgender students from playing girls’ sports and women’s sports. The National Collegiate Athletics Association also announced that only athletes assigned female at birth would be able to play college women’s sports.

But Maine, and by association, RSU 21, will not follow the executive order.

“Our community thrives when we embrace and celebrate our differences,” Cooper said. “I believe deeply that when we create spaces where all students can learn without fear, where they can authentically be themselves, we are fulfilling our highest calling as educators and as members of this community.”