Boozman Urges President Obama To Fire Safe Schools Czar

Press Release

Boozman Urges President Obama To Fire Safe Schools Czar

U.S. Representative John Boozman (R-AR) announced his support for the removal of Kevin Jennings, the "safe schools" czar.

"Kevin Jennings' behavior, lack of appropriate qualifications and ethical standards is something we cannot overlook. Jennings is tasked with the commitment to the safety of our students but his actions have proven that we cannot rely on him to continue his job successfully," Boozman said.

Boozman signed onto a letter to President Obama asking that Jennings be removed from his position. The following is a portion of that letter:

"We respectfully request that you remove Kevin Jennings, the Assistant Deputy Secretary for the Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools, from your Administration. It is clear that Mr. Jennings lacks the appropriate qualifications and ethical standards to serve in this capacity."

"In his book, One Teacher in Ten, Mr. Jennings recounts a 15-year old student confiding in him that he had a sexual relationship with a much older man. Mr. Jennings' only response was to ask if the underage boy used a condom. As a mandatory reporter, Mr. Jennings was required by law to report child abuse, including sex crimes. Mr. Jennings cannot serve as the "safe schools" czar when his record demonstrates a willingness to overlook the sexual abuse of a child.

As the "safe schools" czar, Mr. Jennings is also charged with ensuring our schools and students are drug free. It is clear that Mr. Jennings is unfit to serve in this capacity, as well. His own history of unrepentant drug and alcohol abuse indicates that he is of the opinion that getting drunk and high as a young person is acceptable. In his memoir, Mama's Boy, Preacher's Son, Mr. Jennings describes his use of illegal drugs, without expressing regret or acknowledging the devastating effects illegal drug use can have on a person's life.

Everyone that deals with the education of the most vulnerable must be a positive role model. Our children are not blessed with the wisdom to discern and reject. Children presume the adults who educate them are approved by the larger society and their parents. Kevin Jennings cannot gain the approval of parents who want their children safe and their schools drug free. You should replace him with someone who has a record of educating children in a safe and moral environment.

Given these very serious issues with Mr. Jennings' record, we urge you to remove him immediately."

Boozman is a cosponsor of H. Con. Res 185 that requests the President report to Congress on the responsibilities and qualifications of appointed czars and H.R. 3226 the Czar Accountability and Reform (CZAR) Act of 2009 that requires transparency and accountability of ‘czars' to Congress.

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