ACLU, TASB School Guidance Flawed; Says Texas Values Warning For School Districts

Austin – This week, Texas Values began sending a legal analysis letter to all Texas public school boards to notify members of legal flaws in the recent Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Local Policy Update 115 and recommendations by the ACLU. This policy update contains false and misleading information related to the Supreme Court’s ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County and the way it applies to the issues of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender stereotype.

TASB provides advice and support for over 1,000 school boards and their districts in the State of Texas. Texas Values has already defeated their efforts in one school district, but TASB is asserting pressure on many more districts to include pro-LGBT policies for students not required under Bostock.

“TASB is not a government authority and their flawed recommendations mislead school boards into thinking they must approve broad LGBT school policies in order to comply with the recent Supreme Court decision on employment issues. This is false. TASB Policy update 115 on these LGBT issues is problematic, is being used to promote an LGBT political agenda in public schools, and it is not necessary in order for schools to stay in compliance with state and federal law,” said Jonathan Saenz, attorney and president for Texas Values.

The letter examines in great detail the legal position and reasoning of the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Supreme Court in Bostock, and flaws with TASB’s Local Policy Update 115, and reckless recommendations made by the ACLU about LGBT dress codes for school. It also includes a one-page summary of common issues and inaccuracies with Local Policy Update 115 as a handy reference tool for school board members.