Three weeks ago, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called on Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Kent Scribner to resign for unilaterally imposing bathroom policies that would allow boys to enter girls’ restrooms. Despite overwhelming opposition to the policy from parents and community leaders, Scribner has thus far refused to rescind the order or resign, leading Patrick to request an opinion from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
“No policy as significant as this should ever be created and put into action unilaterally without consultation with parents and a superintendent’s elected bosses,” said Patrick in a press release. “A school district is not a monarchy and Scribner is not a king.”
Patrick is seeking legal determination on whether or not Scribner violated the Texas Education code in adopting the policy and if the superintendent holds the power to enact such provisions. The Lt. Gov. also questioned the purpose of six public hearings in Fort Worth regarding the policy, the first of which takes place tonight on the adoption of the superintendent’s policy.
Patrick decried the proceedings, calling them “after the fact sham hearings,” and noted that he would be encouraging superintendents to defy President Obama’s order to implement transgender bathrooms in their school districts.
“The President’s threat of withholding federal funds is just a threat,” said Patrick. “By standing together we will demonstrate Texas will not be threatened or blackmailed by a policy that doesn’t make sense and puts our girls and women at risk.”
The entire press release can be viewed here.
