Vermont Pays $566K to Christian School Banned Over Trans Athlete Forfeit

Vermont state agencies will pay $566,000 in damages to a Christian school that was banned from sports and academic competitions. The ban followed the school’s girls’ team forfeiting a match rather than playing against a transgender athlete. The settlement concludes a years-long dispute. The school argued the ban violated its religious rights. State officials did not admit wrongdoing but agreed to the payment. The case highlights ongoing tensions between religious freedom and policies protecting transgender students in school sports. The school will now be allowed to rejoin competitions.