Gov. Deal: We Will Protect Georgia Children From Federal Overreach

ATLANTA, GA -- Gov. Nathan Deal says his administration will "protect the interests of Georgia’s children" from the White House's directive that all public school systems provide transgender restrooms or face the loss of federal funding.

"The Obama administration’s directive, recently announced by press release, to local school systems regarding accommodations for transgender students has generated confusion and controversy among parents, students and school officials," Deal said in a statement. "While I do not believe this directive carries the force of law, the Departments of Justice and Education have threatened to revoke federal funding from schools that fail to comply."

Deal's comments came after the U.S. Department of Justice and Department of Education sent letters to every public school district in the country last week, providing guidelines on how transgender students should be accommodated and threatening a loss of federal funds for schools that aren't in compliance.

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But Deal said those kinds of decisions need to made at the local level.

"While our 181 school systems must each determine an appropriate response to this federal overreach, I have asked State School Superintendent Richard Woods to provide guidance to those local school systems seeking assistance and clarity on this issue in order to ensure that there will be as much uniformity across our state as possible," he said.

"Until Congress acts, I assure the citizens of Georgia that the offices of the governor, attorney general and state school superintendent will work cooperatively to protect the interests of Georgia’s children from this abuse of federal executive authority."

The letters come as several states have passed so-called "bathroom laws," some limiting and others opening up bathroom usage for individuals based on their birth sex or gender identity. In the most high-profile case, North Carolina and the Department of Justice have filed lawsuits against each other over the state's law that restricts bathroom and locker-room usage for transgender people.

Even before Friday's developments, the topic was generating controversy in the Peach State. Last month, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed banned all city employees from traveling to North Carolina because of the state's controversial law.

On Thursday night, hundreds of north Georgia parents and residents held a prayer meeting at a Blue Ridge baptist church before marching over to the Fannin County school board to voice their concerns. Some told the school board they're opposed to allowing transgender students to use restrooms of the gender they identify with, while others, according to Fox 5 Atlanta, were in support of the idea.

Also on Thursday, Georgia House Speaker David Ralston -- one of the state's most influential politicians who also happens to represent Blue Ridge -- sent a letter to U.S. Sens. Johnny Isakson and David Perdue. He argued that the federal government is overreaching its authority by threatening to withhold federal funding for schools that don't provide for transgender bathrooms.

• Read Ralston's letter here.

On Friday, the city of Atlanta and DeKalb County school systems issued their own statements regarding the federal government's directives:

• "Atlanta Public Schools’ current policy prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and expression. The district values the uniqueness of every student; therefore, whenever a student identifies himself or herself as being transgender, the district works with the student and family to develop a plan to ensure that they feel supported and safe.”
• "Every school and teacher in the DeKalb County School District wants a welcoming and supportive environment for students, including our transgender ones. It is our firm belief that every student is unique, and every school is unique. This issue requires us to consider the best ways to maximize each student's social development and equal opportunity. We will do so in a way that promotes a wholesome learning environment. I encourage school administrators to discuss transgender and school issues with students and their families."

See also:

Transgender School Bathrooms: Battle Comes to Atlanta, Georgia

Image: Governor's Office