Good news! More people are responding to the need to exercise oversight of public schools. The latest example: the Stafford County Board of Supervisors in Virginia voted to revoke funds used by the school to teach critical race theory and a prohibition on requiring students to identify their pronouns. Responding to a tip from a parent, supervisors gave clear guidelines to the school system, preventing expenditures on the 1619 Project or similar programs and disallowing over emphasis on preferred pronouns.
For those who are concerned about the direction of our country and the indoctrination that can happen in any school, trying to keep track of what happens in class is a big job for those outside the buildings. We applaud this creative effort to prevent tax dollars from being used to advance ideologies rooted in critical race theory or queer theory. As we outlined in our new publication A Concerned Citizen's Guide to Engaging in Public Schools, there are many pressures facing public schools. Because many parents with differing views simply leave the system, we take our worldview with us, leaving the public school under the influence of progressive groupthink.
As one parent put it at a recent school board meeting in Chesapeake, Va.: "My parental rights don't stop at the parking lot." That's true. Parents are the primary educators of their children. We can delegate that authority to others, but the responsibility is still owned by the parent who will answer before God for the children entrusted to our earthly care.
Accomack County, Va., has also resisted the pressure to adopt policies that could endanger students with gender dysphoria and all students. But it will be up to parents to ensure the school board holds firm.
According to news reports, chairman of the Accomack County School Board Paul Bull will assemble a team to consider the matter:
"Bull responded ... saying the board will address the issue again 'since it is the law.' The state requires all divisions to adopt a policy that aligns with that of the state. However, the state superintendent of education has said divisions will not face state repercussions for not adopting protections, but could face lawsuits from students and their families.
Bull said 'moving forward, procedures will accompany the policy to ensure the safety of all students. I feel that the 4/4/1(abstained) vote was due to lack of information regarding how we would address bathroom and locker room issues once the policy is adopted. This policy will be addressed at a later meeting after a team has been organized to address issues of concern,' Bull wrote in the email Wednesday." (emphasis added)
Accomack parents need to report for duty by being part of the "team" that will consider the matter. Contact your district representative to be engaged in the process. If Christians are not in the room when matters are discussed, our views are missing in action, and children suffer. Stafford County parents need to thank their Board of Supervisors for exercising their authority. Wherever you live or go to school, make your voice heard in local government. Engage, talk to your family and neighbors about these issues. The future of our nation depends on constructive civic engagement from people just like you!
