Trump officials accuse Kansas of parental rights violations

Federal officials planned to take action against the Kansas City Public School District in Kansas City, Kan., for not informing parents when a child starts identifying as transgender, the Department of Education reported Tuesday. Education officials partnered with federal prosecutors to ensure the school district changes its policy to conform with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and Title IX, the department said.

This new partnership will ensure schools are protecting children and respecting the rights of parents, according to a statement from Education Secretary Linda McMahon. The department is listening to parents and working to reject dangerous political ideologies that harm children, she added.

Education officials began investigating the alleged violation last August, with Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach even writing to education officials voicing concern about the district's potential violations. Investigators concluded in April that the school district’s policies barred teachers from informing parents when supporting a child’s so-called gender transition, even when parents request specific school records. Investigators also concluded that the district violated Title IX by allowing males to use female restrooms, locker rooms, and changing rooms.

The district’s administrators rejected their legal responsibility to honestly answer parents’ questions about their children’s health and well-being, education investigators alleged. Federal officials proposed a resolution agreement with the district, outlining specific actions the district can take to remedy the federal violations, which the district has ignored, according to the statement. Education officials revved up enforcement measures in June by entering an interagency agreement with federal prosecutors.

So what kind of enforcement is Kansas City facing? Education officials did not directly state the consequences of Kansas’ alleged noncompliance, but noted that federal violations can result in funding terminations. The education department planned to pursue judicial action and federal funding changes should the district continue violating parental rights, according to the department’s Tuesday statement. Federal education officials also wrote to the district in June and warned of pending enforcement of the Title IX violations.

How has the district responded? The school district on Wednesday afternoon told WORLD that it respectfully denies the allegations and maintains that it has acted in good faith and in compliance with all federal and state laws. The district also insisted that it was committed to fostering a safe and supportive learning environment where every student can thrive. 

Parental rights emerged as a legal issue throughout the country over gender identity and abortion, sparking legal battles in Virginia, California, Maryland, and Maine.