Full Breakdown
Vermont Pays $566,000 After Banning Christian School from State Competitions
4/30/2026, 4:02:56 AM
Settlement and Reinstatement
Vermont state education agencies agreed to pay $566,000 in damages and legal fees to Mid Vermont Christian School, ending a lawsuit over the school's two-year exclusion from Vermont Principals Association (VPA) sports and academic contests. The payment follows a September 2025 Second Circuit ruling ordering the school's reinstatement while the case continues.
Background: Ban Over Trans Athlete
In early 2023 the school forfeited a girls’ basketball postseason game rather than face a team with a transgender athlete, citing its belief that “boys are boys, girls are girls.” The VPA responded by barring the school from all state athletics and academic events, forcing 111 students to compete out of state.
Timeline
The forfeiture and VPA ban occurred in early 2023. Alliance Defending Freedom sued later that year. In September 2025 the Second Circuit ordered reinstatement, and in April 2025 the state agencies approved the $566,000 settlement.
Impact on School
The ban tripled travel distances, often returning students after 10 p.m., and eliminated home-court games that drew community spectators. The school missed two seasons of state competition, including potential championship runs, and faced extra out-of-state costs.
Official Statements & Criticism
ADF senior counsel David Cortman said the state’s action violated constitutional protections for religious schools, asserting the government “cannot punish religious schools—and the families they serve—by permanently kicking them out of state-sponsored sports.” The VPA gave no comment. ADF labeled the ban “discriminating against religious schools,” noting the state’s nondiscrimination rationale created a legal paradox.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We were all in agreement that the right decision was to not compromise our beliefs and to withdraw, but the conversation with the players was the hardest,” — Chris Goodwin, Girls’ Basketball Coach
- “You’re getting back at 10 o’clock at night… kids trying to do homework. I don't want to say there's a nightmare, but it was difficult.” — Chris Goodwin, Girls’ Basketball Coach
- “Their message was, 'in order for you to follow your religious beliefs, boys are boys, girls are girls, that would actually violate their nondiscrimination policies.' So the irony of it was, they were discriminating against religious schools.” — David Cortman, ADF Senior Counsel
- “The government cannot punish religious schools—and the families they serve—by permanently kicking them out of state-sponsored sports simply because the state disagrees with their religious beliefs,” — David Cortman, ADF Senior Counsel
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Source 1 reports the payment as “over $566,000,” while Source 4 lists $566,000 exactly. The VPA’s official comment is absent.
What’s Next
The settlement ends the damages claim, but the underlying case Mid Vermont Christian School v. Saunders continues in district court. Vermont officials still exclude religious schools from the state tuition program, suggesting further litigation.
