The school district for the Sullivan area is the latest to double down on polices banning transgender athletes in girls’ sports and seek legal representation.

The RSU 24 school board voted not to rescind its policy Tuesday night and approved engagement with an Augusta law firm.

RSU 24 is one of six districts being sued by the Maine Human Rights Commission for breaking state law, which protects transgender athletes.

Its Tuesday meeting drew a large crowd of 100 community members, with 30 people offering public comment.

RSU 24 superintendent Michael Eastman released the following statement.

“We recognize that this issue is deeply important to many and continues to evoke strong feelings within our district, our communities, and across the state,” said Eastman.” As we move ahead with this work, we remain committed to listening, learning, and communicating with care. Your continued support as we navigate this complex process is sincerely appreciated.”

RSU 73 in Livermore Falls voted last week to keep its transgender policy in placed and retain the same Augusta law firm, Steve Smith Trial Lawyers. The Portland based Drummond Woodsum law firm has represented many of the districts, but is now advising them to follow state law.

The six districts named in the Human Rights Commission lawsuit are aligning with President Trump’s Executive Order 14201, “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.”

The districts are RSU 24, RSU 73, MSAD 52, MSAD 70 and the Baileyville and Richmond School Departments.

The Trump administration, through the Department of Justice, is suing Maine over the state’s human rights law.