›› Pearland superintendent draws heat in debate over transgender rights.
Leader’s transgender comment dominates school board meeting
Pearland ISD Superintendent John Kelly has drawn criticism for weighing into the national debate over the Obama administration’s recent guidance letter for public schools to allow transgender students to use bathrooms matching their gender identity.
“In my personal opinion, this is one more example of unconstitutional interference and social engineering by the federal government,” Kelly recently stated in a local newspaper.
“A hostile vocal minority now rules in America aided by an apathetic, unengaged majority,” Kelly said, “What’s next? Legalizing pedophilia and polygamy? Unless we return to the Biblical basis on which our nation’s laws were established, we are in serious trouble — and cannot expect God’s continued favor.”
On Tuesday night, a crowd of Kelly supporters and critics packed the school district board meeting to offer their own views on the controversy that has erupted since the Obama administration earlier this month issued its directive. On Wednesday, officials in 11 states, including Texas, filed a lawsuit that tested the federal government’s interpretation of the statute forbidding sexual discrimination.
At the board meeting, Adam Floyd, a former Dawson High student, said Kelly’s views “incite
hatred and discrimination in PISD schools.”
“Such public statements are out of place for a superintendent. Furthermore, a superintendent of a school district should represent all types of students from every socio-economic, political, religious and personal background,” said Floyd, who has three siblings in the Pearland ISD system. “John Kelly’s expression of free speech is his business, but it becomes the business of the people of PISD when his occupied position affects the lives of people in this district.”
Floyd and other dissenters called for an immediate apology to the district’s LGBTQ community and requested the superintendent resign.
In a room brimming with parents, grandparents, and former students, district officials had to limit the number of people who could speak during the public comments portion of the meeting because of time constraints.
Still, it did not stop intermittent “Amen’s” and applause as both sides offered opinions.
Kelly had his defenders in the audience.
“I am not a confrontational person, but I cannot sit by and watch a good man who has worked hard at the job he has been given by the board we elected, be needlessly and recklessly vilified,” said Kim Ambro, a parent of three in the district, calling responses to Kelly’s comments “inaccurate” and “alarmist.”
“Many are here to argue about the perceived injustices of the LGBT community either in remarks voiced or policies made … They are here fighting to be acknowledged and respected for who they believe they are all the time,” she said, “Is Dr. Kelly not allowed the same, to be acknowledged and respected for who he is.”
Two weeks ago, President Barack Obama’s administration issued a letter with guidelines to ensure that “transgender students enjoy a supportive and nondiscriminatory school environment.” It included a threat of loss of school funding for those whose school policies don’t comply. If that went through, Pearland could face the loss of $9 million, Kelly said.
“The families in America will not accept it,” Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has said in urging district superintendents to ignore the guidance.
In his statement, Kelly said there is now uncertainty over how to proceed. “It has been the position of Pearland ISD administration that children whose parents declare them ‘transgender’ must go to the bathroom for the sex indicated on their birth certificate. Such student(s) have also been allowed to use a private bathroom (such as in the nurse’s station) if they are so inclined.”
Asked by a reporter at Tuesday’s meeting how he would respond to transgender students or parents who may have been offended by his comments, Kelly said, “We love and respect all the children in Pearland ISD.”