Nicole Georgas speaks at the March 13 Deerfield School District 109 Board meeting. (Screenshot of District 109 Board meeting) 

 A controversy surrounding Deerfield School District 109 has led to an investigation by the U.S. Department of Education for reported Title IX violations.  

The enforcement of middle school girls sharing bathrooms and locker rooms with a transgender girl sparked the complaint. 

The incidents occurred at Alan B. Shepard Middle School. Included in the investigation launched Thursday are Chicago Public School District 299 and the Illinois Department of Education. A federal civil rights complaint was also filed Feb. 5. 

The issue came to light during the March 13 Deerfield School District 109 Board meeting.  

Nicole Georgas, the mother of one of the girls who refused to change clothes while a transgender girl was in the same locker room, complained to the board. 

“The girls just want their locker rooms and bathrooms back,” said Georgas. “They want their privacy back. This nightmare began Feb. 5, when my daughter was using the bathroom and was stunned to find a biological male student was using it as well.” 

Escalation continued in late February, when the girls refused to change their clothes in front of the transgender student. According to Georgas, six girls were brought to the office of Joanna Ford, assistant superintendent of student services. They were questioned about their refusal. 

Later that day, Ford and Associate Principal Cathy Van Treese, along with other administrators went to the locker room. 

“From what I understand, the girls were told by Van Treese, if you do not change, you are misgendering this child and can face disciplinary action,” Georgas told Chronicle Media. “Multiple times, they said, ‘Why can’t he leave? We feel uncomfortable.’”  

She said on Feb. 27, the trans student was about to strip down, when her daughter ran out of the locker room. The School District, with legal counsel, deemed an individual could use the girls’ facilities, if they identified as female.  

A statement from the district, said, “Deerfield Public School District 109 complies with state law. The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits all public school districts from discriminating on the basis of sex, including gender identity, and mandates that students must be permitted access to the locker room and bathroom that aligns with their identity. 

“We are sensitive to the privacy needs … and ensure that no student is required to change into a gym uniform in front of others. When both our middle schools were renovated in 2017, we added five private changing stations within each locker room.” 

Asher McMaher, executive director for Trans Upfront Illinois, said, “In terms of the mother who brought the issue first to the School Board, and then escalated it to the federal level, her claims are filled with misinformation and she’s using her middle school child to further her agenda of excluding students in the trans community. 

“Her child was never forced to undress if she didn’t want to, and was given options of private spaces, including individual bathrooms,” she added. “The mother simply didn’t want to accept or work with the district, on this issue. It’s not about one instance, or one child, it’s about trying to forward the agenda of eliminating trans rights for children.” 

McMaher noted that Illinois is a sanctuary state, with several levels for trans youth in school. Executive Order #19-11, put into effect by Gov. J.B. Pritzker in June 2019, and section 3 of the Illinois Human Rights Act, and under Title IX, gender is protected class. 

This sets the stage for a legal battle between federal and state edicts. A presidential executive order issued in January, banning transgender women from participating in women’s sports and using their facilities is at odds with Pritzker’s executive action. Title IX is a federal law prohibiting discrimination based on sex in education and sports activities receiving federal funds. 

“We feel confident at the state level that Governor Pritzker will continue to stand with our community, provide protections,” said McMaher. “As this comes forward as a lawsuit … we are confident that a federal judge will issue an injunction to stop Trump’s administration from bullying the trans community, by threats of withholding funding.  

State Rep. Bob Morgan, D-58th, who represents the Deerfield area, addressed the issue at the school during a speech, and said, “It’s a lie.” 

“Sadly, our own state rep says my daughter is a liar,” said Nicole Georgas, speaking in Springfield. “He doesn’t want people to hear their story. He wants them to remain silent and pretend it isn’t an issue. Textbook victim-shaming a child is very sad. 

“Is that what you (Morgan) want to people to remember you by, the man that victim-shamed a little schoolgirl on the House floor?” 

Georgas has been appearing on national broadcasts, such as “The Charlie Kirk Show,” which netted traction for the federal probe that was announced Thursday. 

“Secretary of Education Linda McMahon called me personally to obtain details of the incident, and assure me that justice would be served,” Georgas said. “She was very compassionate. She said the Trump administration would not stand for this, men in girls’ spaces. It is a clear violation of Title IX, especially if there is a gender-neutral bathroom.”