AG Paxton Holds Austin ISD Accountable

Texas families have long expected their public institutions to follow the law and protect the safety and privacy of children. Thanks to the leadership of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, that expectation is being met, no matter how resistant certain school districts may be.

According to a report by Texas Scorecard, Attorney General Paxton has now issued a second notice to Austin Independent School District (AISD) after another complaint surfaced involving a male student allegedly using female-only facilities.

This latest development is not an isolated incident. It follows an earlier warning from Paxton’s office in March, when AISD was first notified it could be violating Senate Bill 8 (SB 8), authored by Senator Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston), the Texas Women’s Privacy Act.

This law requires multi-use private spaces, such as bathrooms and locker rooms, to be designated based on biological sex in public schools. 

Despite the warning and a 15-day opportunity to correct the issue, another complaint emerged in April involving the same student, this time at a different facility during a UIL event. This raises serious concerns about whether AISD is either unwilling or unable to enforce the law consistently.

Paxton’s response has been exactly what Texans should expect from their chief law enforcement officer: firm, direct, and unwavering. His office has demanded documentation from AISD, including internal policies, complaint records, and enforcement procedures to determine whether the district is complying with state law. 

In a statement highlighted by Texas Scorecard, Paxton did not mince words, calling the situation “appalling” and pledging to ensure violations are “fully investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent.” 

That kind of leadership matters.

For too long, activist-driven policies have chipped away at common-sense protections for women and girls. Texas drew a clear line with the passage of SB 8, and now we are seeing whether the line will be respected or ignored by local bureaucracies.

AISD’s apparent failure to provide the requested documentation after the first notice only deepens concerns. Transparency and accountability should not be optional when it comes to the safety of students.

This is not about politics, it is about protecting girls’ privacy and ensuring laws passed by elected representatives are actually followed. When a school district disregards those laws, it is the responsibility of state leadership to step in.

That is exactly what Ken Paxton is doing.

Texas Family Project commends Attorney General Paxton for staying strong in the face of pressure and refusing to back down. His continued action sends a clear message: Texas will not tolerate the erosion of protections for women and girls.

As this situation unfolds, Texas families will be watching closely. The expectation is simple: follow the law, protect our children, and respect the values Texans hold dear.