A Detroit-area school district reversed course Wednesday and said former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum can speak later this month at Grosse Pointe South High School.
Students, however, will need a permission slip from parents to attend the speech, which is planned during school hours on April 24. The Pennsylvania Republican served in Congress for 16 years and was a conservative GOP candidate for president in 2012.
"It is unfortunate that students are required to get permission slips from their parents to hear a speech on leadership and public service," Santorum said in a statement.
Grosse Pointe South principal Matt Outlaw had canceled the event Monday, partly because the group sponsoring the visit wouldn't share a copy of his speech ahead of the appearance. Santorum is supposed to talk about leadership, and Outlaw wanted assurances the address wouldn't turn political.
School spokeswoman Rebecca Fannon said some parents were also concerned about Santorum's conservative social views.
"I've learned some things here. I wish we could wind back the clock a bit on this," Outlaw told The Associated Press.
"I spoke to the senator. I apologized for the situation," Outlaw said. "He's very excited to come here. He mentioned that he's been to the Grosse Pointe community many times. ... We think we'll have a very large crowd."
Santorum said he's being allowed to speak only because of "tremendous pressure" from parents, students and some school staff.
"I look forward to talking about why it's critical to be involved in the political process and stand up for our constitutional freedoms," he said.
The district said students who belong to a group, Young Americans for Freedom, raised $18,000 to pay for the visit.
"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," Outlaw said in a letter to parents.
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