When the Lieutenant Governor of your state gets involved with a local school district issue, you have to think something serious is going on. But when this is Texas and we’re talking about Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, you can throw that thinking out the window. He just called for the resignation of Dr. Kent Paredes Scribner, the Superintendent of the Fort Worth Independent School District.
What did Scribner do that was so awful?
He tried to make his district more welcoming and inclusive of transgender students by allowing them to use the appropriate bathroom.
[Lt. Gov. Patrick] issued the following statement:
“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.
It’s just more fearmongering from conservative Christians who think their irrational thoughts should trump the rights of students.
The good news so far is that a couple of school board members have stood up in defense of Scribner:
Fort Worth ISD’s School Board President, Jacinto “Cinto” Ramos Jr. issued this statement:
“We have enormous confidence in Superintendent Kent P. Scribner, his team, and our Board. We are focused on creating a strong, safe, and productive learning environment for ALL students.”
The hypocrisy of @DanPatrick has reached a new level. He speaks of education reform, stable district leadership, and local control (cont.)
— Miguel Solis (@SolisforDISD) May 9, 2016
and then calls for the ouster of a less than one year Ed reform superintendent who made a regulation change within his local authority.
— Miguel Solis (@SolisforDISD) May 9, 2016
The next school board meeting is tonight. It’d be nice if Scribner had support since you know the Jesus-loving bigots will be out in full force.
(Thanks to Scott for the link)
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