LCPS Suspends Two Students Amid Title IX Investigation Over Locker Room Incident

LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. - Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) temporarily lifted suspensions for two Stone Bridge High School students on Tuesday, August 25, 2025, following a Title IX investigation that found them responsible for sexual harassment and sex-based discrimination over their comments about a transgender student using the boys’ locker room.

The reprieve, secured by the students’ legal counsel at Founding Freedoms Law Center, allows one student to begin classes with his peers while the appeals process continues. The other student’s family had already relocated to North Dakota to escape the school district’s ruling.

Background of the Investigation

The incident originated earlier this year when a group of boys questioned why a biological female student, who identifies as male, was present in the boys’ locker room at Stone Bridge High School. The transgender student recorded the boys’ reactions, which led to LCPS launching a formal Title IX investigation under its Policy 8040.

Policy 8040 allows students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that align with their chosen gender identity rather than their biological sex. The boys were found guilty of sexual harassment and sex-based discrimination for expressing their discomfort, with LCPS originally issuing 10-day suspensions and no-contact orders.

Official Responses and Political Fallout

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares investigated the situation and determined that LCPS had conducted an “unlawful, discriminatory, and retaliatory Title IX investigation” to silence students’ religious beliefs. He referred the matter to federal authorities, including the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights and the Department of Justice.

Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears voiced strong opposition to the suspensions at a Wednesday press conference outside Stone Bridge High School, calling the district’s actions “ludicrous” and stating that “biological differences do matter”.

Federal Funding Threats

The controversy comes as LCPS faces potential loss of federal funding. On Friday, August 23, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education placed LCPS and four other Northern Virginia school districts on “high-risk” status and moved them to reimbursement-only funding after they refused to modify their transgender bathroom and locker room policies.

The districts - LCPS, Fairfax County Public Schools, Prince William County Public Schools, Alexandria City Public Schools, and Arlington Public Schools - collectively face the potential loss of over $50 million in annual federal funding for their continued violation of Title IX.

School District Response

LCPS spokesperson Dan Adams disputed the federal findings, stating that the district “does not believe it has violated Title IX” and remains “committed to its mission of empowering all students to make meaningful contributions to the world”.

Superintendent Aaron Spence addressed the controversy briefly during the first day of school coverage, emphasizing that the district’s policies are designed to ensure students are not discriminated against under Title IX federal law.

The suspended students’ attorney, Josh Hetzler, characterized their actions as protected speech among boys in the locker room, describing their comments as asking “Why is there a girl in the locker room?” and stating “Hey, there’s a girl in the locker room”.

The case has raised concerns about permanent academic records, as the suspensions could potentially impact college applications for the students, who will be juniors this academic year.

The situation remains under federal investigation, with the Department of Education formally reviewing LCPS’ handling of the case. The appeals process for the suspended students continues as the new school year begins for LCPS’ approximately 82,000 students across 100 schools and programs.