This is a portion of an op ed I wrote for the Cleveland Plain-Dealer, responding to their request, as a board member of Protect Ohio Children. For the entire article, click the link below.
CLEVELAND -- The energy in local school communities is making national headlines, and much of it arises from parents who bring legitimate questions before school boards. Protect Ohio Children is an Ohio network of parents and small community groups equipping each other to evaluate school programs on the issues of comprehensive sexuality education, social emotional learning, and programs derived from critical race theory. We are all-volunteer -- we have no paid staff and a modest budget -- yet the need for this mutual support has become extremely evident, so many Ohioans are rolling up their sleeves to contribute to this effort….
Yet some are mischaracterizing this exchange as “attacking” teachers and board members. Our organization in no way condones actual harassment or violence, and when that occurs on any side of these issues, local law enforcement authorities not only can but should be consulted. But parents are not terrorists when they ask questions and call for accountability. Also, frank dialogue is not harassment. If schools would return to their core mission — high academic standards — school board meetings would return to being routine and humdrum.
ARTICLE continues HERE.
