Santorum Speech Back On at Grosse Pointe South

Grosse Pointe Public School District officials reached an agreement Wednesday with representatives from the student organization behind bringing Rick Santorum to South High School, which means the speech is back on the calendar for April 24.

The agreement relates to the content of Santorum's speech, which is supposed to be about leadership and community service, according to a press release issued by the district's spokeswoman Rebecca Fannon on Wednesday afternoon.

Members of South's Young Americans for Freedom student organization, which is a national organization with chapters at both North and South high schools, have reassured district officials that Santorum's speech will focus on those topics, according to the release.

The reinstatement of the assembly comes one day after it was canceled by district officials.

The cancellation was the result of representatives from the national student organization denying the district's request to see a copy of Santorum's speech. Additionally, the district found out that Santorum has not addressed high schools previously, according to the press release. He has addressed college-aged students.

District officials requested a copy of his speech because they received information suggesting Santorum's speech could touch on political hot-button topics, such as marriage.

According to Wednesday's press release:

"The district recognizes Mr. Santorum’s leadership qualities, having served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1991 to 1995, and in the U.S. Senate from 1995 to 2007. As part of an educational environment, we provide multiple opportunities for our students and staff to hear and examine various viewpoints. Per further contact between Principal Outlaw and event organizers, the district has been assured the primary focus of his remarks will be on leadership and community service – two qualities we seek to instill in our students."

In information released to Grosse Pointe Patch on Tuesday, district officials feel it is important to remain neutral given the school district is public and the speech was planned as an all-school assembly. Previous political speakers, namely Martin Luther King Jr., did address students at South High School but it was after school hours.

Meanwhile, Rick Santorum posted on his website a reaction to the cancellation, saying he was never asked for a copy of his speech and that even if he had been, he does not speak from a script. He also tweeted the information, saying the cancellation has nothing to to do with the content of the speech but is related to his beliefs.

District officials decided Wednesday to reinstate the assembly for April 24 with a provision allowing students and staff to opt-in if they wish to see and hear Santorum's speech, according to the press release.

Those who do not participate will simply have a routine school day.

Patch is attempting to gather more information about how the invitation to Santorum's arose originally. The press release mentions that the South chapter of Young Americans for Freedom raised $18,000 to bring Santorum to speak, but it does not address whether the efforts were done with the district's knowledge. It also does not explain how they raised the funds.

In addition to reinstating the assembly and speech, parents of South students will be receiving a letter from Principal Matt Outlaw along with the opt-in permission slip required for attendance of the event.

In the letter, Outlaw apologizes to parents for the lack of clarity surrounding the assembly and the decisions this week. It also states:

"While South is and will always remain a politically neutral organization, we have a history of allowing students to hear from prominent figures as part of the educational process. We have hosted civil rights leaders, state and local politicians and prominent business officials. Each has brought a unique perspective, helped our students grow as critical thinkers, and assisted our schools in connecting daily lesson with the real-world. The visit from Senator Santorum was planned with this intent and was to focus on leadership and service in a non-political format....Whether the personal beliefs of a speaker are in agreement with your beliefs or not, we can learn so much from those that have such a wealth of knowledge and experience."

The decisions this week have drawn heavy criticism from a variety of people including parents, political activists and others. Questions about the decision to cancel first expressed to Patch revolved around whether the decision was being made solely related to teachers political leanings.

The press release and letter are attached to the story in the media uploads area.

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