Desoto County Representatives Speak Out on Dept. of Education Bathroom Policy Statement

Many of you are aware of the recent policy demand placed on public schools by the Obama Administration. In a letter to all state education departments the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Education have threatened to withhold funding unless the schools implement policies that allow boys into girls bathrooms and locker rooms.

Gov. Bryant responded with the following statement;

The Mississippi Department of Education should disregard the so-called guidance the Obama administration has issued regarding public schools' restroom policies. The directive is nonbinding, and does not carry the force of law. Because these decisions are better left to the states, and not made at the point of a federal bayonet, Mississippi's public schools should not participate in the president's social experiment.

But, our leaders in the MS Department of Education did not follow his lead and responded with a statement of submission to Obama.

Statement from the Mississippi Department of Education on U.S. Departments of Education and Justice Guidance

CLINTON, Miss. – A safe and caring school environment is critical to a student’s ability to learn and achieve. The Mississippi Department of Education will adhere to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as well as the joint guidance issued today by the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Justice.

The entire delegation of representatives from Desoto County, joined by other representatives across the state, have asked Dr. Carey Wright, State Superintendent of Education, to reverse that decision. Below is our letter sent today.