Case: Massapequa Union Free School District v. Rosa

2:25-cv-05892 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York

Filed Date: Oct. 21, 2025

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

This is a Title IX challenge to a school district’s bathroom and locker room policies based on biological sex. Beginning in the summer 2025, the U.S. Department of Education undertook numerous enforcement actions against school districts nationwide who permitted students to use bathrooms, locker rooms, and other facilities in accordance with their gender identity. The actions were grounded in Title IX and concluded actions resulted in the imposition of penalties. The Massapequa Union Free Scho…

This is a Title IX challenge to a school district’s bathroom and locker room policies based on biological sex.

Beginning in the summer 2025, the U.S. Department of Education undertook numerous enforcement actions against school districts nationwide who permitted students to use bathrooms, locker rooms, and other facilities in accordance with their gender identity. The actions were grounded in Title IX and concluded actions resulted in the imposition of penalties. The Massapequa Union Free School District responded by passing two resolutions that required students to use restrooms and locker rooms in accordance with their biological sex (the “Resolutions).

In a September 24, 2025 letter to the District, the New York State Education Department (“NYSED”) and its Commissioner stated that Resolutions violated state law. Then, in early October of that year, two parents, on behalf of their minor transgender daughter, filed a petition with the Commissioner, alleging that the Resolutions were discriminatory under State Law. The Commissioner granted a stay, thereby preventing the District from enforcing the Resolutions while the administrative proceedings were ongoing.

On October 21, 2025, the Massapequa Union Free School District, and its Board of Education, brought a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, alleging that they were placed in an impossible position: violate Title IX or violate the Commissioner’s stay. The plaintiffs sued the Commissioner of Education, the Commissioner of the New York State Division of Human Rights, the Attorney General of the State of New York, and the parents that had initiated the administrative proceeding. Represented by private counsel, the plaintiffs sought a declaratory judgment and related injunctive relief: (i) that the plaintiffs’ resolutions comply with and do not constitute a violation under Title IX, and (ii) that Title IX preempts New York’s antidiscrimination laws to the extent the court finds that those laws conflict. The case was assigned to Judge Joan M. Azrack and Magistrate Judge Arlene R. Lindsay.

The plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on December 5, 2025, adding the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Secretary of Education as new defendants.

On February 17, 2026, the private parents were voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiffs.

As of April 10, 2026, this case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Madilynn O'Hara (1/7/2026)

Chise Mori (4/10/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71715738/parties/massapequa-union-free-school-district-v-rosa/

Judge(s)

Azrack, Joan Marie (New York)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Rigano, Nicholas (New York)

Judge(s)

Azrack, Joan Marie (New York)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Rigano, Nicholas (New York)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1 2:25-cv-05892	Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief	Oct. 21, 2025	Oct. 21, 2025 Complaint
5 2:25-cv-05892	Amended Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief Massapequa Union Free School District, Massapequa Union Free School District Board of Education v. Betty A. Rosa, et al.	Dec. 5, 2025	Dec. 5, 2025 Complaint

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71715738/massapequa-union-free-school-district-v-rosa/

Last updated July 28, 2026, 4:37 p.m.

Docket for: Massapequa Union Free School District v. Rosa

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	Oct. 21, 2025	COMPLAINT against Jane Doe, John Doe, Letitia A. James, Denise M. Miranda, Betty A. Rosa filing fee $ 405, receipt number ANYEDC-19556403 Was the Disclosure Statement on Civil Cover Sheet completed -YES,, filed by Massapequa Union Free School District, Massapequa Union Free School District Board of Education (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet) (Rigano, Nicholas) Modified on 10/22/2025 (LJ). (Entered: 10/21/2025) 1 Civil Cover Sheet View on PACER	Clearinghouse
2	Oct. 22, 2025	This attorney case opening filing has been checked for quality control. See the attachment for corrections that were made. (LJ) (Entered: 10/22/2025)	RECAP
3	Oct. 22, 2025	Clerk's Notice Re: Consent. A United States Magistrate Judge has been assigned to this case and is available to conduct all proceedings. In accordance with Rule 73 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Local Rule 73.1, the parties are notified that if all parties consent, the assigned Magistrate Judge is available to conduct all proceedings in this action including a (jury or nonjury) trial and to order the entry of a final judgment. Attached to this Notice is a blank copy of the consent form that should be filled out, signed and filed electronically only if all parties wish to consent. Any party may withhold its consent without adverse substantive consequences. Do NOT return or file the consent unless all parties have signed the consent.The form may also be accessed at the following link: https://www.nyed.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/mjconsentform.pdf (LJ) (Entered: 10/22/2025)	RECAP
	Oct. 22, 2025	Quality Control Check - Summons
	Oct. 22, 2025	Case Assigned/Reassigned
	Oct. 22, 2025	Case Assigned to Judge Joan M. Azrack and Magistrate Judge Arlene R. Lindsay. Please download and review the Individual Practices of the assigned Judges, located on our website. Attorneys are responsible for providing courtesy copies to judges where their Individual Practices require such. (LJ)
	Oct. 22, 2025	A summons was not issued for one of the following reasons: No summons provided, please submit summons. The event can be found under the event Other Documents - Proposed Summons/Civil Cover Sheet. (LJ)
4	Oct. 29, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Susan Greene on behalf of Massapequa Union Free School District, Massapequa Union Free School District Board of Education (aty to be noticed) (Greene, Susan) (Entered: 10/29/2025)	RECAP
5	Dec. 5, 2025	AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF against Jane Doe, John Doe, Letitia A. James, Linda E. McMahon, Denise M. Miranda, Betty A. Rosa, United States Department of Education, filed by Massapequa Union Free School District Board of Education, Massapequa Union Free School District. (LC) Modified on 12/10/2025 to renumber to ECF No. 5 (LC). (Entered: 12/10/2025)	RECAP
	Dec. 5, 2025	Incorrect Case/Document/Entry Information. The 5 Amended Complaint entered on 12/5/2025 has been deleted from the docket sheet and re-entered for statistical purposes. All corrections have been made; no action is required by counsel. (LC)
6	Dec. 9, 2025	Proposed Summons. Re 5 Amended Complaint, by Massapequa Union Free School District, Massapequa Union Free School District Board of Education (Greene, Susan) (Entered: 12/09/2025)	RECAP
7	Dec. 9, 2025	Proposed Summons. Re 5 Amended Complaint, by Massapequa Union Free School District, Massapequa Union Free School District Board of Education (Greene, Susan) (Entered: 12/09/2025)	RECAP
8	Dec. 9, 2025	Proposed Summons. Re 5 Amended Complaint, by Massapequa Union Free School District, Massapequa Union Free School District Board of Education (Greene, Susan) (Entered: 12/09/2025)	RECAP
9	Dec. 9, 2025	Proposed Summons. Re 5 Amended Complaint, by Massapequa Union Free School District, Massapequa Union Free School District Board of Education (Greene, Susan) (Entered: 12/09/2025)	RECAP
10	Dec. 9, 2025	Proposed Summons. Re 5 Amended Complaint, by Massapequa Union Free School District, Massapequa Union Free School District Board of Education (Greene, Susan) (Entered: 12/09/2025)	RECAP
11	Dec. 10, 2025	SUMMONS ISSUED as to Betty A. Rosa. (LC) (Entered: 12/10/2025)	RECAP
12	Dec. 10, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Gabriella Larios on behalf of Jane Doe, John Doe (aty to be noticed) (Larios, Gabriella) (Entered: 12/10/2025)	RECAP
13	Dec. 10, 2025	SUMMONS ISSUED as to Denise M. Miranda. (LC) (Entered: 12/10/2025)	RECAP
14	Dec. 10, 2025	WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed by Massapequa Union Free School District Board of Education, Massapequa Union Free School District. Jane Doe waiver sent on 12/9/2025, answer due 2/9/2026; John Doe waiver sent on 12/9/2025, answer due 2/9/2026. (Greene, Susan) (Entered: 12/10/2025)	RECAP
15	Dec. 10, 2025	SUMMONS ISSUED as to Letitia A. James. (LC) (Entered: 12/10/2025)	RECAP
16	Dec. 10, 2025	SUMMONS ISSUED as to Linda E. McMahon. (LC) (Entered: 12/10/2025)	RECAP
17	Dec. 10, 2025	SUMMONS ISSUED as to United States Department of Education. (LC) (Entered: 12/10/2025)	RECAP
18	Dec. 10, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Robert Hodgson on behalf of Jane Doe, John Doe (aty to be noticed) (Hodgson, Robert) (Entered: 12/10/2025)	RECAP
	Dec. 10, 2025	Incorrect Case-Document Information
19	Dec. 11, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Stefanie Denene Coyle on behalf of Jane Doe, John Doe (aty to be noticed) (Coyle, Stefanie) (Entered: 12/11/2025)	RECAP
20	Dec. 11, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Emma Hulse on behalf of Jane Doe, John Doe (aty to be noticed) (Hulse, Emma) (Entered: 12/11/2025)	RECAP
21	Dec. 18, 2025	Notice of Related Case: The Civil Cover Sheet filed in this civil action 25cv6937(ARL) indicates a related case. (SMF) (Entered: 12/18/2025)	RECAP
22	Dec. 18, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Helena Ann Lynch on behalf of Letitia A. James, Betty A. Rosa (aty to be noticed) (Lynch, Helena) (Entered: 12/18/2025)	RECAP
23	Dec. 18, 2025	MOTION to Amend/Correct/Supplement 22 Notice of Appearance CORRECTED notice of appearance (judge's initials corrected) by Letitia A. James, Betty A. Rosa. (Lynch, Helena) (Entered: 12/18/2025)	RECAP
24	Dec. 19, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Helena Ann Lynch on behalf of Denise M. Miranda (aty to be noticed) (Lynch, Helena) (Entered: 12/19/2025)	RECAP
	Dec. 19, 2025	ORDER granting 23 Motion to Amend/Correct the 22 Notice of Appearance. Ordered by Magistrate Judge Arlene R. Lindsay on 12/19/2025. (RI)
	Dec. 19, 2025	Order on Motion to Amend/Correct/Supplement
25	Dec. 23, 2025	SUMMONS Returned Executed by Massapequa Union Free School District Board of Education, Massapequa Union Free School District. Letitia A. James served on 12/15/2025, answer due 1/5/2026. (Greene, Susan) (Entered: 12/23/2025)	RECAP
26	Dec. 23, 2025	SUMMONS Returned Executed by Massapequa Union Free School District Board of Education, Massapequa Union Free School District. Linda E. McMahon served on 12/12/2025, answer due 1/2/2026. (Greene, Susan) (Entered: 12/23/2025)	RECAP
27	Dec. 23, 2025	SUMMONS Returned Executed by Massapequa Union Free School District Board of Education, Massapequa Union Free School District. Denise M. Miranda served on 12/12/2025, answer due 1/2/2026. (Greene, Susan) (Entered: 12/23/2025)	RECAP
28	Dec. 23, 2025	SUMMONS Returned Executed by Massapequa Union Free School District Board of Education, Massapequa Union Free School District. Betty A. Rosa served on 12/15/2025, answer due 1/5/2026. (Greene, Susan) (Entered: 12/23/2025)	RECAP
29	Dec. 23, 2025	SUMMONS Returned Executed by Massapequa Union Free School District Board of Education, Massapequa Union Free School District. United States Department of Education served on 12/12/2025, answer due 2/10/2026. (Greene, Susan) (Entered: 12/23/2025)	RECAP
30	Dec. 24, 2025	Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer re 1 Complaint, by Letitia A. James, Denise M. Miranda, Betty A. Rosa. (Lynch, Helena) (Entered: 12/24/2025)	RECAP
	Dec. 29, 2025	ORDER re 30 : The time for Letitia A. James, Denise M. Miranda, and Betty A. Rosa to answer, move or otherwise respond to the complaint is extended to and including February 9, 2026. Ordered by Magistrate Judge Arlene R. Lindsay on 12/29/2025. c/ecf (RI)
	Dec. 29, 2025	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer
31	Jan. 9, 2026	SUMMONS Returned Executed by Massapequa Union Free School District Board of Education, Massapequa Union Free School District. Linda E. McMahon served on 1/8/2026, answer due 3/9/2026. (Greene, Susan) (Entered: 01/09/2026)	RECAP
32	Jan. 9, 2026	SUMMONS Returned Executed by Massapequa Union Free School District Board of Education, Massapequa Union Free School District. United States Department of Education served on 1/8/2026, answer due 3/9/2026. (Greene, Susan) (Entered: 01/09/2026)	RECAP
33	Feb. 9, 2026	Letter MOTION for pre motion conference by Jane Doe, John Doe. (Larios, Gabriella) (Entered: 02/09/2026)	RECAP
34	Feb. 9, 2026	MOTION for pre motion conference re 5 Amended Complaint, by Letitia A. James, Denise M. Miranda, Betty A. Rosa. (Lynch, Helena) (Entered: 02/09/2026)	RECAP
35	Feb. 11, 2026	MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 34 MOTION for pre motion conference re 5 Amended Complaint,, 33 Letter MOTION for pre motion conference on Consent by Massapequa Union Free School District, Massapequa Union Free School District Board of Education. (Rigano, Nicholas) (Entered: 02/11/2026)	RECAP
	Feb. 11, 2026	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply
	Feb. 11, 2026	ORDER granting 35 Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply. By consent of the parties, the deadline is extended to March 17, 2026. Ordered by Judge Joan M. Azrack on 2/11/2026. (TRN)
36	Feb. 17, 2026	NOTICE of Voluntary Dismissal by Massapequa Union Free School District, Massapequa Union Free School District Board of Education JANE DOE and JOHN DOE, on behalf of their minor daughter JANIE DOE, (Greene, Susan) (Entered: 02/17/2026)	RECAP
	Feb. 18, 2026	ORDER terminating 33 Motion for Pre Motion Conference; Order Dismissing Parties re 36 . Party Jane Doe (on behalf of their minor daughter JANIE DOE) and John Doe (on behalf of their minor daughter JANIE DOE) terminated. Ordered by Judge Joan M. Azrack on 2/18/2026. (LP)
	Feb. 18, 2026	Order Dismissing Parties AND Order on Motion for Pre Motion Conference
37	Feb. 27, 2026	Letter request for extension by Linda E. McMahon, United States Department of Education (Blume, Michael) Modified on 3/2/2026 to change event type to motion for extension of time to file answer (LC). (Entered: 02/27/2026)	RECAP
38	March 2, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Michael S. Blume on behalf of Linda E. McMahon, United States Department of Education (aty to be noticed) (Blume, Michael) (Entered: 03/02/2026)	RECAP
	March 2, 2026	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer
	March 2, 2026	ORDER granting 37 : The time Linda E. McMahon and the United States Department of Education to answer, move or otherwise respond to the complaint is etended to and including April 15, 2026. Ordered by Magistrate Judge Arlene R. Lindsay on 3/2/2026. c/ecf (RI)
39	March 3, 2026	MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 34 MOTION for pre motion conference re 5 Amended Complaint, on Consent by Massapequa Union Free School District, Massapequa Union Free School District Board of Education. (Rigano, Nicholas) (Entered: 03/03/2026)	RECAP
	March 6, 2026	ORDER granting 39 Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply. Ordered by Judge Joan M. Azrack on 3/6/2026. (TRN)
	March 6, 2026	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply
40	April 6, 2026	Second MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer by Linda E. McMahon. (Blume, Michael) (Entered: 04/06/2026)	RECAP
	April 6, 2026	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer
	April 6, 2026	ORDER granting 40 Motion for Extension of Time to Answer. Ordered by Judge Joan M. Azrack on 4/6/2026. (LNM)
41	May 28, 2026	Extension of Time to File Answer	RECAP
	May 28, 2026	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer
42	July 1, 2026	Extension of Time to File Answer	RECAP
	July 1, 2026	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer
43	July 16, 2026	Extension of Time to File Answer	RECAP

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Case Details

State / Territory:

New York

Case Type(s):

Education

Key Dates

Filing Date: Oct. 21, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

A school district in New York

Plaintiff Type(s):

City/County Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Private Entity/Person

Jane Doe and John Doe (on behalf of their minor daughter)

State

Attorney General of the State of New York

Commissioner of Education

Commissioner of the New York State Division of Human Rights

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Law-enforcement

Facility Type(s):

Government-run

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Title IV, Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000c et seq.

Other Dockets:

Eastern District of New York 2:25-cv-05892

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Bathrooms

Education

School/University Facilities

School/University policies

Discrimination Area:

Sports

Discrimination Basis:

Gender identity

Affected Sex/Gender(s):

Transgender

LGBTQ+:

Transgender

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of Massapequa Union Free School District v. Rosa, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/47623/ (last updated 4/10/2026).