Two Oregon educators who lost their jobs after questioning their school district’s transgender bathroom and locker room policy have reached a $650,000 settlement with the Grants Pass School District. The dispute began in 2021 when district officials suspended and later dismissed assistant principal Rachel Sager and health instructor Katie Medart for expressing their Christian-based views on gender-identity policies through a personal online platform, outside of work hours and without representing the district.
With support from Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), the educators argued that the district punished them for constitutionally protected speech. Both had long histories at North Middle School and had co‑founded “I Resolve,” a grassroots initiative offering alternative approaches to gender‑identity issues in schools. Their recommendations sought to balance the concerns of students, parents, and educators while safeguarding free speech and freedom of conscience. Proposals included allowing but not requiring teachers to use pronouns that conflict with a student’s biological sex, keeping bathrooms and locker rooms designated by biological sex, and permitting students to request private or single‑use facilities when needed.
ADF praised the settlement as a necessary affirmation that public‑school employees do not surrender their First Amendment rights at work and cannot face retaliation for expressing views on matters of public concern.
