Princeton Independent School District (ISD) has decided to review its facility use policy after concerns were raised over a request from a local LGBTQ group to use school property for an event.
In a special meeting of the Princeton ISD board on January 19, board members heard from residents, some who urged a change in the policy, and others who argued that no change was necessary. Members from Princeton TX (PTX) Diverse, the LGBTQ organization seeking to use Princeton ISD facilities, urged the board not to restrict school facility usage.
Ultimately, Princeton ISD’s Board of Trustees voted 7-0 to refer the facility use policy to legal counsel, suggesting, “Due to the increased use of facilities both in regularity, time of use, amount of use and numbers of attendees, it is important to review and revise these guidelines to assure compliance with applicable laws and policies.”
The board explained that its priority was “the safety and security of … students, staff and facilities.”
PTX Diverse, which also goes by the name Princeton Pride, claims on its Facebook page to “welcome and encourage the community of Princeton, Texas to come together to embrace and support our neighbors, regardless of religion, sexual orientation, race, gender, economic standing, etc.”
“We are working to make Princeton a more inclusive and considerate place for all Texans,” the group description continues, “through compassion, education, and understanding.”
Speaking about the Princeton ISD board meeting, PTX Diverse President John Kusterbeck explained to The Dallas Express, “There were some people who do not want us to be able to rent district facilities to hold our Pride event.”
“As far as the outcome of the meeting, we look forward to seeing what updates the ISD’s lawyer proposes and also holding our Third Annual Princeton Pride this summer inside the high school,” Kusterbeck continued.
Previously, Kusterbeck suggested that PTX Diverse has already been approved to use school facilities, signed agreement contracts, and paid the required deposit.
Pictures provided to The Dallas Express show that previous PTX Diverse events, like their Pride celebrations, have allowed children to attend and participate.
PTX Diverse is currently planning a drag queen bingo event on Saturday to raise money for the Pride Celebration that might occur in one of Princeton ISD’s schools. The event invite stipulates that people must be 18 years old to play.
Michelle Freeman, a precinct chair for the Collin County Republican Party, suggested to The Dallas Express, “I think the kids should be left out of this.”
“If they want to have their event, that’s fine,” she continued. “But kids don’t need to be a part of that.”
Others, however, have urged districts to ban events with allegedly obscene or inappropriate content from school grounds entirely.
Kelly Neidert, the founder of the activist group Protect Texas Kids, suggested to The Dallas Express, “School facilities and public resources should never be used for any event containing inappropriate, sexual content. I hope that the Princeton ISD board is able to revisit their facility usage policy and prevent this event from taking place on school grounds.”
“It would be ideal to see legislation passed in Austin to completely prohibit a situation like this from occurring in the future,” she continued.
As previously reported in The Dallas Express, State Rep. Matt Shaheen (R-Plano) has filed a bill stipulating that “a nightclub, bar, restaurant, or other commercial enterprise that provides for an audience of two or more individuals a drag performance” is to be considered a “sexually oriented business.”
If the bill passes, it would effectively make it illegal for drag shows to allow people under the age of 18 to attend, per pre-existing Texas law.
The Dallas Express reached out to Cyndi Darland, president of the Princeton ISD Board of Trustees, but did not receive a response prior to publication.