Florida high school punished, fined thousands for allowing boy to play on girls' volleyball team

A Florida high school was fined and put on probation for allowing a boy to compete in girls' sports, a violation of state law.

The Florida High School Athletic Association reportedly informed Monarch High School and its principal that the school "permitted a biological male to participate on the girls volleyball team during the 2022-2023 and 2023-24 Girls Volleyball seasons," a violation of the law, the Daily Signal reported.

This followed an investigation that was started approximately two weeks prior, when the Broward County Public Schools district reassigned several staff members while the district looked into the incident.

The letter to the school's principal stated the school violated Bylaw 8.6.2, which states that "biological males may not participate on a female team in any sport."

As well, Policy 16.11.6 states that the "use of an ineligible student when self-reported, may subject the school to a monetary penalty of a minimum of $100 per contest and/or other sanctions."

The school also violated F.S. 1006.205(3)(c), which says that "athletic teams or sports designated for females, women, or girls may not be open to students of the male sex."

Along with an official letter of censure, the state also placed the high school on "administrative probation" through November 20, 2024.

The school was fined $16,500 for the number of games the boy participated in over two seasons. He allegedly played 13 games during the 2022-23 girls' volleyball season and 20 games during the 2023-24 season. The state decided to fine the school $500 per game.

Additionally, Monarch High School representatives "are required to attend an FHSAA Compliance Seminar in 2024 and 2025" and also host an "Eligibility & Compliance Workshop" before June 2024.

"Thanks to the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida passed legislation to protect girls’ sports, and we will not tolerate any school that violates this law," Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. said in a statement.

Allegations of a male student playing on the girls' volleyball team came through a complaint to the school district, spawning the investigation. The student's name was not revealed, but WUWF, an NPR affiliate in northern Florida, reported that the student allegedly began acting and dressing as a girl at age 3, was diagnosed with gender dysphoria by 7, and began taking puberty blockers at 11, followed by estrogen at 13.

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