Cabot, AR, Public Schools; Litter Box Public Service Announcement

Cabot, Arkansas (ECWd) –

During a recent trip to Arkansas, I had to clean up the coffee I spit from my mouth upon being told the local school had installed litter boxes in the bathrooms for the “cat” kids.  The story continued with a claim several parents were going to be filing a lawsuit against the school over the matter.

The next morning I submitted a Freedom of Information Act request that was responded to in a matter of minutes.

1. 1. Copy of all complaints regarding cat litter boxes in any high school bathroom.
   2. Copy of any adopted policy about students who identify as a cat.
   3. Copy of all available veterinarian vaccination records for any “cat” at the high school.
   4. Copy of the rabies vaccination records for all “cats” at the high school.
   5. Copy of leash requirements for “cats’ at the high school.

As is evident in the request, humor played a role in this matter because if the litter box claim was true it would open up a litany of other issues that can’t be ignored.  The school’s response was interesting.

“We are in receipt of your request for various “cat” records on behalf of the “Edgar County Watchdogs.” Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105 says that “all public records shall be open to inspection and copying by any citizen of the State of Arkansas.” Please provide proof that you are an Arkansas resident and then we will begin working on your request.”

While it would have been so easy to respond to my request, they chose to demand proof of citizenship.  Since I am not a citizen, I have no right to know under Arkansas Freedom of Information laws.  We will save that issue for another article and future legislation.

I made arrangements for the request to be submitted by an AR citizen.

The result:

The following is the information to answer your FOIA request emailed to Dr. Tony Thurman and myself on February 25, 2022:

1. 1. Copy of all complaints regarding cat litter boxes in any high school bathroom.  No documents.
   2. Copy of any adopted policy about students who identify as a cat.  No documents.
   3. Copy of all available veterinarian vaccination records for any “cat” at the high school.  No documents.
   4. Copy of the rabies vaccination records for all “cats” at the high school.  No documents.
   5. Copy of leash requirements for “cats’ at the high school.  No documents.

Wanting to ensure we covered all the basis, I sent the School Board President the following:

Mr. Trusty,

My name is Kirk Allen and I am the Co-Founder of Edgar County Watchdogs Inc.  We are a non-profit organization that exposes local government issues across the country. 

During my travels through Arkansas last week I was informed by a Veteran associate of mine that several parents were going to be filing a lawsuit against the Cabot School board over an issue relating to kids identifying as a cat. 

While we have seen this fad over the years with kids, the alleged situation in Cabot was disturbing due to the claim the school had placed cat litter boxes in the bathrooms.  This was one of the key issues that got our attention.

Looking at the bio’s of the School Board Members, I would like to think if such an issue was taking place it has been addressed and corrected already. 

Can you please confirm this matter has been corrected and there are no longer any litter boxes in the school bathrooms? 

If the board has appointed a public information officer that this request should be handled through would you please forward it accordingly so that we can get to the bottom of this matter?

The response:

This is not currently an issue and has never been an issue with our district. There are no litter boxes in any of our restrooms.

Confirming there are no litter boxes in any of their restrooms did not address whether there were at some point litter boxes in the restrooms. Thus, another question:

Have there EVER been litter boxes in the restrooms? 

The response was prompt and distinct.

No

So for the parents of students of the Cabot, Arkansas Public Schools, rest easy that there are no litter boxes in your kid’s restrooms according to the School Board President Joe Trusty.

If by chance we got this story completely wrong and there are in fact “cat” kids and litter boxes at the schools we ask that those spreading that information please provide pictures and or video to validate the claims being made.

For those in disbelief that any of the above could have merit, look no further than Meade County School district which was dealing with similar issues just last fall.