The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District is one of 18 school districts nationwide being looked into for what the U.S. Department of Education says are policies allowing "boys to compete in girls' sports."

The department's Office for Civil Rights said the investigation is based on complaints that Bellmore-Merrick schools and others violated Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in any education program or activity that receives federal funds.

“In the same week that the Supreme Court hears oral arguments on the future of Title IX, OCR is aggressively pursuing allegations of discrimination against women and girls by entities which reportedly allow males to compete in women’s sports. Time and again, the Trump Administration has made its position clear: violations of women’s rights, dignity, and fairness are unacceptable,” Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey said. “We will leave no stone unturned in these investigations to uphold women’s right to equal access in education programs—a fight that started over half a century ago and is far from finished."

In response, the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District issued a statement denying the accusations: "The Bellmore-Merrick Central HS District has always focused on supporting all students, respecting due process, and fulfilling its legal obligations. At all times, the District acted in full compliance with all laws and regulations. Bellmore-Merrick has followed the guidance and legal framework governing New York State public schools issued by the NYS Education Department."

Section VIII Athletics, which represents youth sports in Nassau County, said it had no comment on the investigation.

The probe is part of the Trump administration's larger push to ban gender-based policies. He issued an executive order "opposing male competitive participation in women’s sports more broadly, as a matter of safety, fairness, dignity and truth" as soon as he was inaugurated back into the White House for a second term.

This week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on challenges by two states on this issue. The majority of the court appears inclined to uphold states' rights to enact laws that prohibit transgender women and girls from competing on women's and girls' school sports teams.