UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TunOs OFFICE FOR CIVIL RicHTS IANA town 230 SOUTH DEARBORN ST., 37” FLOOR MINNESOTA eaten seed NORTH DAKOTA isconsit May 31, 2022 Dr. Steve Hope Superintendent Goshen Community Schools Sent only by email to shope@goshenschools.org ’ Re: OCR Docket #05-22-1293 Dear Dr. Hope: ‘The U.S. Department of Education (Department), Office for Civil Rights (OCR), has evaluated the above-referenced complaint, which OCR received on March 14, 2022, against Goshen ‘Community Schools (Corporation) alleging discrimination on the basis of sex. We have determined that we have the authority to investigate this complaint. Specitically, the complaint alleges that the Corporation is discriminating against female athletes in the Corporation’s high school interscholastic program on the basis of sex by failing to provide them equal opportunity in the provision of locker rooms and practice and competitive facilities. OCR is responsible for enforcing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), 20 U.S.C. §§ 1681-1688, and its implementing regulation at 34 C.F.R. Part 106. Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity operated by a tecipient of federal financial assistance. As a recipient of federal financial assistance from the Department, the Corporation is subject to this law, Additional information about the laws OCR enforces is available on our website at http://www.ed.gov/ocr. ‘OCR has determined that it will investigate this complaint. Please understand that opening an investigation does not mean that OCR has made a decision about this complaint. During the investigation, OCR is neutral; OCR will collect and analyze the evidence it needs in order to make a decision about this complaint, When appropriate, a complaint may be resolved before OCR issues a final determination ifthe recipient expresses an interest in resolving the complaint. In such cases, a resolution agreement signed by the recipient and submitted to OCR must address all the allegations that OCR determines are appropriate to resolve before the conclusion of an investigation, Information about this kind of resolution is in the enclosure to this leter. Please read the enclosed document entitled “OCR Complaint Processing Procedures,” which includes information about: + OCR’s complaint processing procedures; ‘The Department of Fdueation’s mission slo promote student achievement and preparutio for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal acces. wowed govPage 2 - Dr. Hope + Regulatory probitions against retaliation and intimidation of persons who file complaints with OCR or participate in an OCR investigation; and «Application of the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act to OCR investigations, OCR intends to conduct a prompt investigation ofthis complaint. The regulation implementing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, at 34 C.F.R. § 100.6(b) and (c), requires that a recipient of federal financial assistance make available to OCR information that may be pertinent to a compliance determination. This requirement is incorporated by reference in the Title regulation at § 106.81. Pursuant to 34 C.F.R. § 100.6(c) and 34 C.F.R. § 99.31(a)(3 regulation implementing the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. § 1232g, OCR may review personally identifiable records without regard to considerations of privacy or confidentiality Accordingly, OCR is requesting that you provide the following information to us within fifteen (15) calendar days. OCR will provide such flexibility as is reasonable in response to a request for an extension of time within which to provide the requested data. Wherever possible, please provide the requested information in electronic format. If responsive data are available through the Internet, please provide the link to the data. Please do not provide OCR documentation or electronic information containing social security numbers (SSN); if SSN appear on a document or file that is otherwise responsive to OCR’s request, please redact the SSN before producing to OCR. Further, it would be helpful ifthe pages in your response are numbered. 1, A detailed narrative response to the allegation. 2, PRTPage 3 - Dr. Hope AY 9. Ifnot included in the responses to the above items, a copy of all other documentation relevant to the allegation in this complaint ‘Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. In addition to the information requested above, ‘OCR may need to request additional information and interview relevant personnel. If an on-site visit is necessary, we will work to schedule a mutually convenient time for the visit. We have also enclosed a redacted copy of the complaint, Please notify OCR of the name, email address, and telephone number of the person who will serve es the Corporation's contact person during the processing of this complaint. We would like to talk with this person as soon as possible to discuss this complaint. The Complainant may file a lawsuit in federal court regardless of whether OCR finds a violation OCR is committed to prompt and effective service. Ifyou have any questions, please contact James Barton, OCR Attomey, at 312-730-1720 or James. Barton@ed, gov. TEKH) Team Leader Enclosures