Grapevine-Colleyville schools OK policy on gender, critical race theory after hours of debate
After over four hours of comments from almost 200 speakers, the Grapevine-Colleyville school board late Monday night voted to adopt policies that would provide more oversight of library materials, limit discussion of gender identity and prohibit the teaching of critical race theory.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, board member Shannon Braun wrote the polices would end the “social, cultural, and political agendas that have plagued our district classrooms.”
The policies will prevent teachers from including material on gender, equity and other issues and limit what pronouns can be used in schools. Teaching or discussion about critical race theory or the the 1619 Project is prohibited.
“Whether it’s issues of race, sexuality, or even the very nature of biological sex, the prevalence of instructional materials, books, and curriculum that are all designed to push the whims and worldviews of some adults onto our children has skyrocketed,” Braun wrote.
“Parents, guardians, taxpayers, and concerned citizens in this community have had enough.”
Board member Becky St. John said Monday night that the policy was “offensive to the community.” She called out board president Casey Ford, saying that while the ad hoc committee and the attorneys had six months to review the policy, the community was given only 72 hours.
“This was time that was stolen from our parents and our students. They were given 60 seconds to speak on Monday night,” she said.
Ford chastised St. John and said that she was out of order for “disparaging board members.”
St. John criticized Ford, and board members Kathy Florence-Spradley, Shannon Braun and Tammy Nakamura, saying that the policies were going to create legal problems and overburden teachers.
She also questioned why attorneys others than those from the district were asked to work on the policy.
Other board members also objected.
Jorge Rodriguez said “my pronouns are ‘he’ and ‘him.’ We have a war against librarians and a war against the LGBT community. That is why I’m voting against these policies. In years past, we didn’t get to this point. We go to the community. We believe the district needs to provide a safe learning environment for all kids.”
Rodriguez said the district is “very diverse and that we have to respect the right of students to learn. It is all political. It’s become a springboard for political campaigns.”
However, Nakamura read a statement praising the work of school officials and board members who made sure that the policy conforms to state law. She also chastised St. John, Rodriguez and trustee Coley Canter for bringing forth a socialist agenda.
Superintendent Robin Ryan told the board that he recommended that they vote to adopt the policy because it aligns with Texas Education Agency guidelines and state laws.
Speakers face off in contentious debate
Before Monday’s vote which occurred just before midnight, parents and others implored board members to vote in favor of a policy that would change policies toward LGBTQ students, book selections and addressing race, while others urged them to table the vote for further discussion.
Almost 200 speakers participated in the discussion, with each given a time limit of 60 seconds.
One parent, Kim Lovering, said the proposed policy would limit protections for transgender and LGBTQ students.
“How can you vote on something without town halls?” she said.
Lovering also chastised board members for not answering her emails.
“LGBTQ+ Kids matter too! I love and stand with each of you,” she said. “Kids — go read all the banned books!“
Andrew Fiser, a Methodist minister who lives in the school district, told the board: “You’ve heard from parents and students who are under threat. Don’t vote against them.
“This is a white nationalist, fascist agenda,” he said. “You ought to be ashamed of yourselves. This is not Christian behavior.”
Protesters against the policies displayed signs that read, “Our existence is not a controversy” and “Let trans kids live. We are not a threat.”
But Julie McCarty, the CEO of the True Texas project, praised board members for their hard work on a policy that will call for giving parents a voice in their children’s education.
”I am inspired by you,” she said.
McCarty said that parents in districts across the state are learning from the Grapevine-Colleyville trustees.
“I want you to know that we have your back,” she said.
Speaker Kathy Hadley said she supported board members who want to adopt the policy.
“America needs great leaders,” she said. “Our board keeps it academically strong for all.”
Former Colleyville Mayor Richard Newton commended the board for hard work on a policy that he says will clear up ambiguity.
“I’ve reviewed the policies, and I support them,” Newton said. “In the heat of emotion, I’ve heard things that aren’t true. These changes are about common sense.”
Hundreds gathered before Monday’s meeting, forcing an overflow of people outside where tents were set up. Food was served and big screen TVs were displayed so visitors could watch the proceedings inside.
How the new policies will work
The policies adopted will prevent teachers from including material on gender, equity and other issues and limit what pronouns can be used in schools.
It would allow for district employees to use a student’s preferred pronouns other than those for their sex at birth, if the employee wants to, with the written consent of the student’s parent. It would not allow district employees to require anybody to use pronouns other than those for their sex at birth, but students and employees can use other preferred pronouns if they want to.
The proposed amendments would prohibit district employees from teaching topics of sexual orientation or gender identity unless everybody in the class has completed the fifth grade.
The new policy also would expressly prohibit any teaching or discussion about the 1619 Project, or critical race theory.
It would also prohibit requiring employees or students to receive instruction that promotes racial or sexual superiority or suggests or states that “an individual, by virtue of that individual’s race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously,” or that a person should face discrimination based on any demographic category into which they might fit.
The ACLU of Texas expressed its outrage over the policies discussed Monday, saying they would have a chilling effect on accurate classroom discussions about history, race, gender, and system inequity.
“Texas students deserve better than the egregious policies proposed by Grapevine-Colleyville ISD,” Oni Blair, ACLU of Texas executive director, said in a press release. “These policies restrict access to an inclusive education, bring ‘Don’t Say Gay’ rules to Texas, and violate students’ First Amendment rights.”
The district also announced recently that book fairs were postponed while a search is underway for another vendor.
District spokesperson Nicole Lyons told the Star-Telegram previously that the vendor could not produce a list of books in time to meet the district’s new guidelines.
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Editor’s note: This story has been updated to remove incorrect information about Patriot Mobile.
This story was originally published August 23, 2022 at 1:00 AM.
CORRECTION: This article has been updated to reflect that Superintendent Robin Ryan told the board that the policy aligns with Texas Education Agency guidelines and state laws.