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Florida School Employee Suspended for Allowing Transgender Daughter to Play on Girls Volleyball Team

PLANTATION, Fla. (AP) — A school employee in Florida has received a 10-day suspension following a decision by the Broward County school board, which determined that she violated state law regarding transgender participation in girls’ sports. Although the board acknowledged the violation, it concluded that termination would be too severe a penalty.

Jessica Norton, an employee at Monarch High School, was suspended following the board’s 5-4 vote on Tuesday. Her 16-year-old daughter had participated on the school’s varsity volleyball team for the last two seasons. In addition to her suspension, Norton will no longer be able to serve as a computer information specialist but is entitled to a reassignment that offers equal pay and responsibilities.

The board’s findings indicated that Norton violated the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, which prohibits transgender females from competing in girls’ high school sports. This law was enacted by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida legislature in 2021, despite opposition from the Broward County school board.

Board member Debbi Hixon, who advocated for Norton’s suspension, stated, “Our employee made a choice not to follow the law.” However, she added, “It was a first offense. We would not terminate someone on their first offense.”

Since the violation came to light last November, Norton was removed from her duties and placed on paid leave. Following the vote, she expressed her disagreement with the board’s decision but noted that the suspension was preferable to being fired. She indicated her uncertainty about returning to work and planned to discuss the situation with her daughter, who had also stepped away from the school despite being involved in student leadership roles.

“I did nothing wrong. Nothing,” Norton remarked.

The debate surrounding the treatment of transgender children has intensified nationwide in recent years, with Florida being part of a larger trend across at least 25 states that have implemented bans on gender-affirming care for minors. Additionally, the state is among 24 that have enacted laws preventing transgender women and girls from competing in women’s sports. Currently, Norton and her family are involved in a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Florida’s law, claiming it infringes upon their daughter’s civil rights. This lawsuit is still pending.

During the board meeting, a proposal for a lesser five-day suspension without job reassignment was rejected, leading to Hixon’s recommendation for a more significant penalty. Hixon argued that a more lenient punishment would not sufficiently address the violation of the law.

While board members acknowledged the severity of the situation, they differed on the appropriateness of Norton’s punishment. Hixon noted that her actions inadvertently placed the district in a precarious legal situation by falsely indicating on her daughter’s athletic eligibility form that the child was born female. Consequently, the Florida athletic association imposed a $16,500 fine on Monarch High School and placed the institution on probation. Furthermore, the district could face legal actions if another student claims they were unfairly excluded from the volleyball team opportunities due to Norton’s daughter’s participation.

The discussion underscored the complexities surrounding the law and its implications for the school’s community, as members of the board sought a solution that balanced the legal requirements with the personal histories of those involved. Board member Allen Zeman emphasized the uniqueness of this situation and the need for a resolution that aligns with previous disciplinary measures.

A faction of the board supported Superintendent Howard Hepburn’s initial recommendation to terminate Norton’s employment due to her knowing violation of the law. Conversely, the decision reached reflects a consensus for a significant yet not extreme response, taking into account Norton’s previously commendable service record.

Board member Torey Alston critiqued the leniency towards employees who violate laws, reinforcing his belief in strict adherence to legal standards. Meanwhile, tensions escalated during the meeting when member Brenda Fam referred to Norton’s child in a manner that was deemed misgendering, causing Norton and her husband to leave the proceedings in protest. Fam’s stance was fortified by her belief in the Fairness Act, which she argued safeguards biological female athletes.

Despite the heated discussions, Norton, after the meeting, condemned the misgendering of her daughter as a deliberate provocation and expressed her concern over its appropriateness in an educational setting.

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