Sen. Chris Gildon, Rep. Cyndy Jacobsen, and Rep. Michael Keaton issued a joint statement on Feb. 11 regarding recent reports involving the Puyallup School District. The statement follows allegations from a female high school student who said she was sexually assaulted by a biological male opponent during a December wrestling match, as well as claims from other female students that their concerns about biological males in the girls’ locker room were not addressed by school officials.
The lawmakers said these issues raise serious questions about student safety and privacy within the district. They emphasized the importance of protecting children from harm and ensuring that all allegations are handled with care.
“We are concerned about the safety and well-being of all children in our community,” Gildon, Jacobsen, and Keaton said in their joint statement. “Children must be protected from harm, and any allegation that a child has been victimized must be treated with the utmost seriousness and care.”
They also highlighted legal obligations for school personnel to report suspected abuse or neglect immediately to state authorities, stating: “School personnel are mandated reporters, which means they must, by law, immediately report suspected abuse or neglect of a child, including sexual abuse or injury, to the state.” The lawmakers acknowledged the efforts of dedicated professionals within the district but called for transparency and accountability regarding these incidents.
The statement criticized what they described as “tremendously short-sighted legislation” that has put children at risk by diluting parental rights protections during the 2025 legislative session. They pointed to two citizen-led initiatives—IL26-001, which would reaffirm parents as primary stakeholders in their children’s upbringing, and IL26-638, which would prohibit biological male students from competing against female students in girls’ sports—as possible remedies.
“If the Legislature does not act on the initiatives this legislative session, both will be put to the people for a vote,” they said. The lawmakers concluded by pledging continued support for all children in their district and advocating for legislation that ensures privacy for students while recognizing parents’ roles.
