CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) district is fast-tracking a controversial policy change to get in line with a new state law called the Parents' Bill of Rights.
The law was passed by the Republican-controlled General Assembly after it overrode a veto by Gov. Roy Cooper. It bans most sexual education topics for kids in kindergarten to fourth grades and requires schools to tell parents when a child requests a change to their name or pronouns.
CMS is one of the first districts in the state to start making policy changes to comply with the law. The school board voted 7-2 on Tuesday night to comply with the law.
The policy changes have been met with mixed reactions from parents and teachers. Some parents are supportive of the changes, saying that they have a right to know what their children are learning about in school.
"I recognize that it may be more operationally difficult, but it's the law," Brooke Weiss, a CMS parent, and the Chapter Chair of Moms for Liberty in Mecklenburg County, said.
The new law codifies most rights parents already currently have in schools, but now gives them legal avenues to report if this isn't happening.
For example, it requires districts to inform parents about how to object to materials or curriculum topics, how to file a formal complaint, and how to opt their students out of surveys on topics the parents might find inappropriate.
"Why is this even an issue?" Brian Weiss asked. "If we already do it, then continue to do it, and do it. But for years, I have unsuccessfully tried to get information about my child, what she's learning, the type of studies, the books the test, and I couldn't do it. Why? Because it's not easy."
Other parents are concerned that the changes will prevent schools from providing important information to students about their health and well-being.
"Some people may think that they are too young to hear these things, however, I would say that if one of their friends has two dads, they're not too young to hear that they have two dads," Joshua Dumas said.
Teachers are also concerned about the changes. They worry that the new requirements will make it more difficult for them to build relationships with students and create a safe and supportive learning environment.
"As an educator, I can assure you that the only agenda I've had for children is for them to write in their homework," Megan Hill said.
The law bans most conversations about gender identity and sexual education from students in kindergarten through 4th grade.
"Education on consent and bodily autonomy should be provided for students before fifth grade," Hill said. "Because I know every one of you has heard at least have one student that has experienced abuse in their life, and it will be burned in your brain forever."
Students do have the opportunity under the law to bring up a conversation on certain topics, but it's not clear how this could be proven or held up in practice.
For students in 5th grade and up, Reproductive Health and Safety Education curriculum begin. Under the current law, parents must opt students into this curriculum. Previously, students were automatically enrolled and parents had to send a written note to opt students out.
The other controversial portion of the law requires schools to tell parents when a child requests a change to their name or pronouns. For example, if a child named Alexandria wants to be called Alex in school, they need a parent's consent. A child wanting to go by the pronouns they/ them, or other pronouns, also needs parental consent.
The law does say schools are allowed to withhold this information when a reasonably prudent person would believe that disclosure would result in the child becoming abused.
"I'm really concerned about what's going to happen for our, our youth, especially our LGBTQ youth," Linda Traum said. "And I'm worried that teachers also are going to feel uncomfortable, and maybe even a bit hesitant to speak to students when they maybe want to talk to them about sexual identity issues."
Multiple CMS Board members have made clear they are only voting for the policy change to comply with state law.
"It's my job as a board member to do what's best for the district as a whole and to ensure that we follow the law and that's what I'm doing," CMS Board Member Dee Rankin said. "But that does not mean I'm supporting Senate Bill 49 (Parents Bill of Rights)."
Rankin said he had received threats regarding his vote.
"I don't do well with threats," Rankin said. "I'm gonna vote how I want to vote. So if you if, if you think I'm talking to you, I am. Just to be clear, I can vote how I want to vote."
CMS board member and former CMS teacher Melissa Easley shared her own family's personal story of attacks for identifying as LGBTQ.
"Let me share an example of hate that some of our community members have already shown to a family with a transgender fluid father and a bisexual mother, who have two children in elementary school," Easley said.
She went on to say this family doesn't hide their truth and revealed the family was hers.
"People were stalking their home. As a result CMPD and Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office drive by on a regular basis," Easley said. "And the worst example of harassment of this family. Someone made a complaint to child welfare. And the family had to be interviewed to make sure that the children were safe."
Easley also called out Lisa Cline, not by name, for her support for the Parents Bill of Rights.
Cline talked at a previous school board policy meeting in support of the law. Cline, the only Republican on the board, did not speak to the motions at tonight's meeting.
Outgoing CMS Board Jennifer De La Jara used her time at the dais to talk about both the political and personal implications of the law. De La Jara said her own daughter had come to her and her husband with questions.
"I am certain that Jorge and I have failed in many ways as parents, "De La Jara said. "But one thing I'm proud of is that we have created an environment where a child is acknowledged and validated, and unafraid to be who she is."
De La Jara said schools should also be a safe place for students.
According to the district legal and policy experts, if the district refused to adopt the new policies they could open themselves and their employees to legal repercussions.
Contact Destiny Richards at drichards5@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Contact Shamarria Morrison at smorrison@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
FREE PODCASTS
Wake Up Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with the team at Wake Up Charlotte.
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Stitcher || TuneIn || Google Podcasts
Locked On is the leading podcast network for local sports and is owned by WCNC Charlotte's parent company TEGNA.
Listen to Locked On here.
All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.