State Sen. Konni Burton (R-Colleyville) publicly commended Fort Worth ISD for amending their controversial rules for student bathrooms and other facilities. The policy change can after intense parental outrage and criticism from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick surrounding the previous guidelines – which illegally shut out parents.
Burton’s public statement read:
“I would like to commend Superintendent Scribner and the team at Fort Worth ISD for addressing the serious concerns levied by members of the community on how the initial policies minimized, and in some ways outright excluded, parents.”
Burton further announced her review of existing state law to identify potential opportunities to further empower Texans and protect their rights from governmental abuse.
“[W]hile I am pleased to see that parents are now being treated as part of the solution and not as part of the problem by FWISD, my office is currently reviewing all relevant state laws to ensure that parents in communities across Texas will never again have to fight for their basic right to matter in their child’s life.”
Last month, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued an opinion stating that provisions of the Fort Worth guidelines – which allowed educators to withhold information from parents – were in clear violation of state law outlined in the Education Code.
Fort Worth ISD’s new guidelines largely mirror Paxton’s opinion, receiving praise from the Attorney General, Patrick, Burton, and local citizen groups.
Zeb Pent, a spokesman for the citizen-led group, Stand for Fort Worth, expressed his approval of FWISD’s change.
“This is a victory for the rule of law, common sense, and the people who stand for Fort Worth…We are grateful Superintendent Scribner reversed and repealed his illegal transgender directive.”
