Last week’s decision by the Carroll ISD Board of Trustees to remove “religion”, “sexual orientation” and “gender” from its existing non-discrimination statement is a clear rollback of protections for students. This action is irresponsible and only adds to a growing list of equity and inclusion challenges in the Southlake community. Given the opportunity to lead inclusion efforts and change these negative perceptions, particularly following the district’s recent rejection of a diversity plan, trustees chose to lean into the discriminatory rhetoric that will lead to additional fear, concern and confusion for many students and their families. Carroll ISD must protect all students from discrimination and stop this effort to exclude protected groups from their student code of conduct. We urge the Carroll ISD Board of Trustees to reverse this decision immediately and stop asking families to sign a new code of conduct that doesn’t include protections for their children.

Stacy Cushing
Regional Director
ADL Texoma

Joel Schwitzer
Regional Director
AJC Dallas

Mary Pat Higgins
President and CEO
Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum

Howard Rosenthal
Associate Director (Community Relations)
The Jewish Federation of Fort Worth and Tarrant County