Already under investigation by the Virginia State Police and under scrutiny by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Fairfax County Public Schools learned today that the U.S. Department of Education has announced that it has initiated enforcement action against Fairfax County Public Schools and is seeking additional information by October 17.
According to a press release from the Department of Education, the enforcement action
follows recent reports that during the 2021-22 school year, a Centreville High School social worker reportedly scheduled an abortion appointment for a 17-year-old student, paid the required clinic fees, and swore the girl to secrecy without informing the student’s parents. A second student was allegedly pressured by the social worker to have an abortion, with the social worker reportedly telling her she “had no other choice” and directing her to the same clinic for an abortion procedure, which the student did not ultimately undergo. Under PPRA’s requirements, schools must notify parents of an invasive physical examination and allow parents to opt their children out of such a procedure.
Scott Gelman of WTOP radio reports that the Education Department
is requesting a specific set of information by Oct. 17. The request includes the county’s notice to parents telling them about their rights under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment, and a statement indicating whether federal funds were used in connection with sensitive medical services, including abortion-related procedures.
Gelman added, “If the school system doesn’t provide it, they could risk losing federal funding, the agency said.”
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“It shocks the conscience to learn that school personnel in Fairfax have allegedly exploited their positions of trust to push abortion services on students without parental knowledge or consent. Children do not belong to the government—decisions touching deeply held values should be made within loving families,” said U.S. Department of Education’s Acting General Counsel Candice Jackson. “It is both morally unconscionable and patently illegal for school officials to keep parents in the dark about such intimate, life-altering procedures pertaining to their children. The Trump Administration will not stand by idly as these abuses unfold in our schools. We will take swift and decisive action to put an end to this and restore parental authority, which stems from their ultimate responsibility for their children’s wellbeing.”
Sen. Cassidy, chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, sent a detailed letter to FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid asking for answers to multiple questions about Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) policy and actions they may have taken at the time of the alleged abortions. Fairfax County Public Schools do receive federal funds and as such are required to abide by federal rules regarding the use of those same funds. Paying for a student’s abortion is a misuse of those funds under federal law.
“Virginia has statewide elections this fall that will help determine whether or not parents’ rights will be protected going forward,” said Olivia Gans Turner, president of the Virginia Society for Human Life. “This story only highlights the need to elect individuals who will safeguard those rights.”
LifeNews.com Note: Dave Andrusko is the editor of National Right to Life News and an author and editor of several books on abortion topics. He frequently writes Today’s News and Views — an online opinion column on pro-life issues.
