(Katy, Texas) The Katy ISD School Board is prepared to adopt a "Resolution: Regarding Senate Bill 12 and Parent Rights" on Monday, August 25. 

Katy ISD is prohibiting teachers from addressing students by their chosen name and pronouns, even with permission from a students’ parent.

The signers of this petition, ask the Katy ISD School Board to respect the civil and free speech rights of ALL students, parents, and staff, and vote NO on the unnecessary & optional “Senate Bill 12 Resolution.”

Our local school board cannot stop or change Texas law, and is legally obligated to follow it. But the School Board can decline to usher in this discriminatory and constitutionally questionable law with the pomp and circumstance of a Board Approved Resolution. 

When the Senate Bill 12 Resolution is considered on Monday, trustees can communicate directly to students, families, and staff members that they understand the heartache and harm laws like Senate Bill 12 inflict on our entire community. Trustees can use their platform and power, bestowed upon them by voters, to urge our District to find ways to ensure all Katy ISD families- including LGBTQ+ students, families, and staff continue to feel safe, welcome, and supported by our schools, while complying with state law.

Why is this important?

KPRC News reported yesterday, that Katy ISD is already refusing to honor students' by their chosen name and pronouns- even with permission from those students’ parents. The law does not explicitly prohibit public schools from honoring parents' requests, or prohibit teachers from exercising their freedom of speech to comply with parent's requests. In fact, lawmakers repeatedly shrugged off those concerns during the legislative hearings on the bill.

During the Work Study Meeting on Monday, August 18,  Board President Redmon stated that Superintendent Gregorski introduced the resolution for the board's consideration, to communicate the District's intention of following Senate Bill 12, which was recently signed into state law in Texas.

Among other things:

• Senate Bill 12 prohibits District employees and volunteers from engaging in "diversity, equity, and inclusion duties"
• Senate Bill 12 prohibits employees from "assisting a student...with social transitioning" (including calling a student by a name or pronouns that are perceived to be different than the students' birth sex).
• Senate Bill 12 prohibits student clubs based on sexual orientation or gender identity (commonly known as GSAs or SAGA clubs)

There is no legal requirement to adopt a Board Resolution declaring and affirming the tenants of Senate Bill 12. Doing so only furthers the harm done to students, families, and staff negatively impacted by the new law. 

In addition to signing this petition, make plans now to join Katy Pride in speaking up in support of LGBTQ+ students, families, and staff members at Monday's board meeting during the public forum. Detailed speaker sign up instructions can be found here.