The on again, off again nature of California-based schools moving their athletics programs out of the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA) and into the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) appears back on. This time by state order.

The California Department of Education (CDE) sent a letter last week to those California-based schools saying they must move their athletic programs into the CIF. The Tahoe-Truckee Unified School District (TTUSD) have debated whether to do so over the last several months with the latest decision being to remain in the NIAA for good after originally planning on moving to the CIF, originally for the 2025-26 season and later readjusted to the 2026-27 season.

At debate has been the NIAA’s transgender-athlete policy, which was adjusted last spring to ban such athletes from playing in female sports.

“We are writing to share a critical update about our athletics programs,” the letter from TTUSD read. “Last spring, we faced a difficult situation regarding the conflict between the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA) student-athlete eligibility policy (based on biological sex) and California state law (which protects student rights regarding gender identity). After robust community conversations, the TTUSD Board of Trustees met on June 25, 2025, and directed the district to delay any immediate plans to switch to CIF, keeping our athletic programs in the NIAA, due to significant logistical challenges.

“Last week, TTUSD received a mandatory order from the California Department of Education (CDE) ordering our athletic programs to move to the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) beginning in the 2026/2027 school year due to a formal complaint filed against TTUSD. At this time, our primary goal must be to ensure that our students continue to have athletic opportunities; we know athletics are a profoundly important part of their education, social network, and personal growth.”

The mandated move is binding, the TTUSD wrote to school district members, since the complaint and subsequent investigation found that by remaining in the NIAA TTUSD was violating California Educational Code Section 221.5(f), which provides the right for students to participate in sex-segregated school programs consistent with their gender identity. TTUSD appealed the order and requested an extension of the timeline, which the CDE denied and maintained its orders.

“If we do not comply, TTUSD will be violating state law, which could result in severe financial penalties and legal action against the District,” the letter read.

The TTUSD said it was exploring what a move to the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section would look like and whether competing in the CIF next school year is possible. The board said the NIAA is aware of the situation and committed to working with those schools as a more definitive timeline for next season is developed. TTUSD will provide an informational overview of the situation at a Board Meeting next Wednesday, which can be viewed here.

The CDE ruling would also apply to South Tahoe, Coleville and Needles, who all compete in the NIAA despite being in California state borders.

These California schools have been some of the most successful in the NIAA. Truckee led Northern Nevada schools in state championships last year, winning five. North Tahoe and South Tahoe tied for second with three state titles apiece. Truckee won six regional championships with North Tahoe and South Tahoe posting four each. Those schools have competed in the NIAA for more than four decades due to easier travel playing in Nevada’s high school athletics leagues than those in California.