Mississippi’s schools chief backed away on Wednesday from federal guidance to allow transgender students to use the bathrooms of their choice amid pushback from state leaders.
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A short time later, she issued a statement instructing the department to do just that and “follow the lead of state leadership and take no action at this time”.
Wright, HRC said, initially underscored the importance of a “a safe and caring school environment”, in saying it would follow the federal direction.
Gov. Phil Bryant, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves and legislative Republicans have been critical of the position Wright announced last week when she said MS schools would adhere to the suggestions made by the administration of President Barack Obama.
Mississippi’s K-12 public education for the current year is receiving $783 million in federal funds and about $2.5 billion in state funds.
“If she does not get that, it kind of makes everyone question whether she is up to the task of keeping our children safe while they’re at school”, said Rep. Dana Criswell, R-District 6.
A spokesperson for Wright told The Daily Signal that she has no comment on the state representatives’ call for her to withdraw the statement regarding transgender student guidelines. “I am encouraged by Dr. Wright’s actions and hope she and the Board of Education ultimately see fit not to implement this outrageous directive”.
A leading gay rights advocate says his organization will seek talks with Mississippi Board of Education members who are considering whether to follow federal guidance on transgender student accommodations.
Asserting that federal officials are trying to “blackmail” MS, the senators wrote that, “Dr. Wright made the decision to usurp the board’s authority and unilaterally issue the policy decision to acquiesce to the illegal demands of the federal government”.
State board member Johnny Franklin said the nine board members had discussed Wright’s position among themselves. Twenty-four percent said the decision should be left to the federal government, 25 percent the state, and 41 percent said local jurisdiction should decide the issue.
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“The people of this State demand a leader who shares our goals and values and who is willing to protect our children even under pressure from federal agencies to do otherwise”, the lawmakers’ letter to Wright said. Among its shameful provisions, HB2 prohibits public school students from using restrooms and other school facilities consistent with their gender identity. “Mississippi’s school children should not be forced to participate in the president’s social experiment”, the governor said in a statement Tuesday. While House bill 1523, which takes effect July 1, allows people to set bathroom and other policies based on that belief for students, it doesn’t require it. However, he did not answer when asked by The Associated Press if he thought Wright should resign. Two groups have filed federal court challenges to the law.
