1 Arrest, 1 Injury at Loudoun Schools Meeting on Equity
Loudon County VA June 30 2021 The Loudoun County School Board shut down the public comment portion of a rowdy public meeting amid disruptions over lessons on race and a proposed policy on treatment of transgender students.
Parents sang the national anthem, chanted “Shame on you” and waved signs that said, “We the parents stand up” and “Education not indoctrination.”
The Northern Virginia school district made national news after parents opposed what they called critical race theory in schools, and gym teacher Tanner Cross testified that he would refuse to use transgender students’ chosen pronouns.
One man was arrested, another man was ticketed for trespassing and a third person was hurt at a chaotic public meeting Tuesday on equity issues in Loudoun County Public Schools.
Parents fired up about a proposed policy on the treatment of transgender students — as well as how schools should teach about race — held up signs, chanted and sang the national anthem at the Loudoun County School Board meeting.
Security at the Northern Virginia meeting was high after board members received death threats, as they did earlier this spring. State troopers assisted county sheriff’s deputies.
The school board unanimously voted to shut down the public comment portion of the meeting after repeatedly issuing warnings about decorum and disruptions.
“The meeting has degenerated” a school district spokesperson said as the board shut down comments and ordered people to leave.
Parents chanted “Shame on you” and raised their middle fingers.
Some held signs that said “We the parents stand up,” “Education not indoctrination” and “There are two genders: male and female. Trust (teach) the science.”
Others indicated support for LGBTQ students. “Liberty & Justice for All. No exceptions,” one sign said, with the word “All” drawn in rainbow colors.
Nearly 260 people had signed up to speak at the meeting.
Parent Beverly McCauley said she was frustrated that she was not allowed to speak.
“I’m a mom of 11. I took a lot of time to write my speech. I put a lot of heart into it. And then I’m not allowed to speak?” she said.
School board bylaws adopted in 1979 and last reviewed in 2016 say the board “welcomes comments from the public and believes strong community engagement is important to a successful school system.” But “the civility, decorum and respect for the functioning and dignity of the School Board shall be maintained at all times,” the bylaws say. “When reasonable,” the chair can warn a speaker of a breach of the rules, end speaking privileges or “take other action.”
Scott T. Smith, 48, of Leesburg, was charged with disorderly conduct and obstruction of justice. The sheriff’s office says he physically threatened someone and then “continued to be disorderly with the deputy” and resisted arrest. He was released. It wasn’t immediately clear if he had a lawyer.
Another man received a summons for trespassing after school officials asked those in attendance to clear the room, the sheriff’s office said.
A third person received a minor injury, officials said, without releasing details.
In remarks at the conclusion of the meeting, School Board Chair Brenda Sheridan said the board stands with LGBTQ students during Pride Month and will continue to work to make schools equitable.
“We will not back down from fighting for the rights of our students and continuing our focus on equity,” she said. “We will continue to work towards making Virginia, specifically Loudoun, the best place to raise a family.”
Sheridan called for an end to “politically motivated antics” and said “loud voices aiming to make our schools a political battleground will not silence the work for our students.”
Dozens of supporters and opponents of a proposed policy on the treatment of transgender students gathered outside the school board meeting earlier Tuesday afternoon to voice their concerns.
Proposed Policy 8040 on the rights of transgender and gender-expansive students became national news after elementary school gym teacher Tanner Cross testified in May that he would not follow the policy because he believed it would harm children and violate his religious beliefs.
A Loudoun County School Board meeting grew unruly when people booed and shouted while others made their comments to the board. News4’s Drew Wilder reports.
The school district placed Cross on paid administrative leave. A District Court judge ruled earlier this month that Cross must be reinstated, citing his rights to speech and religious liberty. The school board is appealing the ruling.
One student called Cross’ case “disheartening.”
“Teachers like Tanner Cross and parents of peers go up into these school board meetings and start talking about how someone is sinning and committing vile acts and all these bad things,” the student said.
The proposed policy on transgender students calls for all students to be “treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, or gender identity/expression.” It is in line with the Virginia Department of Education’s model policies on the treatment of transgender students in public schools, Loudoun officials say.
The proposed policy would affect staff use of transgender students’ names and pronouns; transgender students’ access to sports, restrooms and locker rooms; and training for school mental health professionals.
Three students who are members or allies of the LGBTQ community in Loudoun County schools spoke to News4. They asked to remain anonymous.
“It will make kids feel better about themselves and more comfortable in their own skin, which will directly, in my opinion, save kids’ lives,” one student told News4.
A physical education teacher at Leesburg Elementary School said the proposed pronoun policy runs contrary to his religious beliefs. Paul Wagner reports.
“I could rattle off probably 30, 40 people just in my grade I know who are LGBTQ,” another student said.
“With the teachers I’ve wanted to tell, I just haven’t felt comfortable enough because of, like, all the stuff that’s going on with, like, people threatening
Staff should allow transgender and gender-expansive students to “use their chosen name and gender pronouns that reflect their consistently asserted gender identity.” Staff should use students’ names and pronouns. “Staff or students who intentionally and persistently refuse to respect a student’s gender identity by using the wrong name and gender pronoun are in violation of this policy.”
Staff should allow transgender and gender-expansive students to participate in “interscholastic, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities … in a manner consistent with the student’s gender identity.”
Students should be allowed to use the restrooms and locker rooms that “correspond to their consistently asserted gender identity.” Staff should “take steps to designate gender-inclusive or single-user restrooms commensurate with the size of the school.”
“All school mental health professionals shall complete training on topics relating to LGBTQ+ students, including procedures for preventing and responding to bullying, harassment and discrimination based on gender identity/expression.”
“The Superintendent is authorized to develop implementing regulations and school procedures to ensure consistency in practices.”
School systems across Virginia are adopting similar regulations; a new state law gives counties little leeway to consider alternatives.
The proposed regulations are scheduled for a final vote in August.
