Jessica Norton, an information management specialist at Monarch High School in Fort Lauderdale, is in danger of losing her job after her 16-year-old transgender daughter played on the school’s girls’ volleyball team, sparking controversy over Florida’s sports legislation.
A public school employee in Florida is facing possible termination for allowing her transgender daughter to play girls’ high school volleyball. Jessica Norton, an information management specialist at Monarch High School in Fort Lauderdale, has been suspended and is fighting to keep her job. The situation arose after an anonymous tip in November led to an investigation, revealing that Norton’s 16-year-old daughter was participating on the girls’ varsity volleyball team, allegedly in violation of Florida’s Fairness in Women’s Sports Act. This law mandates that students must play on sports teams corresponding to their biological sex as stated on their birth certificate.
Norton addressed school district officials on Tuesday, explaining that her daughter, who previously thrived at Monarch High, has been greatly affected by the investigation and now attends school online. Norton highlighted that her daughter had held various leadership roles and was fully integrated into school activities before the investigation.
The investigative actions, initiated by school board member Daniel Foganholi, involved multiple officers and the state education department. They reviewed school records and interviewed several individuals, including Norton, school officials, and volleyball team members, who generally did not object to the girl’s participation in the team.
While the investigation cleared other school officials of any wrongdoing, Norton is accused of changing her child’s name in school records using her position. The school district, set to vote on her termination, delayed the decision for a month.
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