The Vermont Principals’ Association (VPA) has agreed to a $566,000 settlement following a legal battle with Mid Vermont Christian School, which was banned from state athletics after refusing to compete against a transgender opponent.
Background of the Ban
The dispute began three years ago when the school’s girls’ basketball team forfeited a game rather than play against a team featuring a biological male who identified as female. In response, the VPA issued a permanent ban, prohibiting the school from participating in any state-sanctioned athletic events.
However, a federal appeals court intervened in September, ruling that the VPA could not legally enforce the ban. As reported by WCAX-TV, the settlement includes a pledge from the VPA to never enact similar bans in the future.
This is the way. It's the only thing they understand. Hit them in the wallet.
Vermont pays $566K in damages, legal fees to Christian school it banned from all sports competitions for yearshttps://t.co/IlSMdkwCNR
— Pitt Fan 1 (@driscoll1142) April 29, 2026
Legal and Moral Victory
David Cortman of the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), the firm representing the school, hailed the outcome as a major win for the First Amendment.
“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,” Cortman stated.
Girls’ basketball coach Chris Goodwin expressed relief at the ruling, noting that his decision was rooted in both faith and a desire for “fair and safe competitions.” He emphasized that he wanted to set an example for his daughter to stand up for her beliefs without fear of state-sponsored punishment.
Judicial Critique of the VPA
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit was notably sharp in its assessment of the VPA’s actions. In granting a preliminary injunction to reinstate the school, the judges wrote that the VPA’s decision:
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Displayed clear hostility toward religious beliefs.
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Challenged the legitimacy of the school’s faith.
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Was “unprecedented, overbroad, and procedurally irregular.”
Ongoing Litigation
While the athletic dispute is resolved, the school’s legal challenges continue. According to the Vermont Daily Chronicle, litigation is still pending against the state Agency of Education. The school is currently fighting to overturn policies that bar religious students from participating in the state’s tuition program and other public benefit initiatives.