Schuette Writes Letter to Obama Administration on LGBT Student Guidance

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette issued a letter May 26 asking the Obama administration, U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch and Secretary of Education John King to retract the recent directive issued May 13 that says schools must allow transgender students to use bathrooms consistent with their gender identity.
"The decision about how best to deal with the rights of students is a critically important issue," he wrote. "But the manner in which this decision was made — ignoring the essential role of parents, local school teachers and administrators, and done without the debate and consent of the legislative branch — is a failing that needs to be corrected."
In his letter, Schuette called the directive "another prime example of federal overreach" and urged the administration to reconsider the policy guidance and seek input from parents and guardians from every state.
The joint memo is intended to provide educators with information to help ensure transgender students do not face sex-based discrimination in schools and recommends that trans students be able to access restrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity unless those students request a single-use bathroom.
Schuette has not joined attorneys general from 11 other states who are suing the federal government over the trans policy guidance.
He copied Michigan Superintendent Brian Whiston on the letter, expressing hope that Whiston and school board members can work with local school leaders to craft "a policy that ensures the rights of all students are protected."