LUBBOCK, Texas -
Fort Worth ISD's top administrator, Dr. Kent Scribner, announced the controversial decision that students in the district may use whichever bathroom fits the gender that student identifies with a couple of weeks ago at the district's board meeting. The guidelines require educators and staff to offer students a single-stall restroom or the opportunity to use a restroom when no other students are present.
Further, it asserts educators to “show respect for the student’s desires and wishes to the extent practical so as to foster a productive educational process for all.”
The decision wasn't up for discussion at all on that April 19 meeting. Scribner announced the district's position without discussion on the board, or without being an item on the board's agenda. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R-TX) called him out Monday afternoon, demanding his resignation for the move.
In a statement, he writes:
After less than a year as superintendent, Dr. Scribner has lost his focus and thereby his ability to lead the Fort Worth ISD. He has placed his own personal political agenda ahead of the more than 86,000 students attending 146 schools in the district by unilaterally adopting ‘Transgender Student Guidelines.’
Without any discussion with parents, board members, principals, and other community leaders, Dr. Scribner’s unilateral action, underscores this lack of fitness to hold his position as superintendent.
Campus safety should be of paramount concern for anyone in his position. Every parent, especially those of young girls, should be outraged.
The State of Texas has an affirmative responsibility to provide a safe environment in the schools where attendance is compulsory. While this may be an example of the need for the Legislature to pass a meaningful School Choice Bill, we must not allow the actions of Dr. Scribner to go unnoticed or unanswered.
I call upon the parents within the Fort Worth ISD to take immediate steps to repeal this stealthy scheme and remove Dr. Scribner from his post.
