Olathe Public Schools, along with several other school districts in the Kansas City area, is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education for allegedly violating Title IX and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) with policies regarding gender identity. The investigation, initiated by a complaint from the Defense of Freedom Institute, claims that these districts have policies that could prevent parental notification about students' gender transitions and allow students to participate in sports and use facilities based on their gender identity. Kimberly Richey, assistant secretary for civil rights at the Department of Education, criticized these policies as violations of federal law. In response, Olathe Schools has labeled the investigation as 'political theater,' asserting that the allegations are unfounded and misrepresented. The district insists it complies with all laws and has not implemented policies that violate federal regulations. The Department of Education has warned that failure to comply with its demands could result in funding cuts for the districts involved. These demands include ensuring that participation in athletics is based on biological sex rather than gender identity and that related documents regarding students' gender transitions are accessible to parents.