School Board Proposes Combining Boys & Girls in Sex-Ed Classes — Part 2

As previously reported, the Fairfax County School Board is considering amendments to its sex-education curriculum for 4th to 8th graders.  See “School Board Proposes Combining Boys and Girls in Sex-Ed Classes in Grades 4-8,” Nov. 28, 2022.

Sex education at these grade levels has traditionally been provided separately to boys and girls, but the proposal would put all the kids in the same classroom for this instruction.  Also, the concept of gender fluidity would be added to the 10th grade sex-ed class, and students would be shown a video on the topic.  In addition, the new curriculum replaces references to “boys” and “girls” with verbiage about gender “assigned at birth.”

The proposal was discussed at a work session of the School Board last May.  The Board decided at that time to postpone the issue to the autumn after several Board members worried about public backlash and the lack of time for public comment before summer.  The official comment period expired on December 1.  It is not known yet when the matter will be scheduled for a Board vote.

The proposed amendments were addressed by eight community members at the December 1 meeting of the School Board.  Seven opposed the changes; one favored them.  The seven opposition speeches, taken together, make a compelling argument for rejecting the proposal.  A videotape of the meeting is HERE.  The seven statements in opposition begin at the following points in the video: My testimony (33:51), Tyrone Santos (36:09), Laura Hanford (40:38), Kathleen Gilette (42:54), Cole Mallard (45:30), Nick Matich (54:15), and Jen Haas (56:30).  The testimony of the one supporter of the amendments, Karen Solor, begins at 44:52.

Proponents of the revised curriculum will undoubtedly sign up in droves to speak at the next School Board meeting on December 15, so opponents can’t let up on expressing their views.  If you are a concerned citizen of Fairfax County, please consider doing the following, even if you filled out the on-line comment form during the official comment period:

• Sign up to speak at the next School Board meeting, scheduled for Thursday evening, December 15, or at any upcoming meeting before the issue is scheduled for Board consideration.  Instructions for registering are on the School Board’s website (www.fcps.edu/school-board).  Registration begins on the Sunday morning preceding each meeting and ends on Tuesday.  Your testimony can be in-person or can be submitted via video.
• Attend the upcoming Board meetings to demonstrate to the Board that there is widespread opposition.  As noted above, the activist community always does a good job of mustering its troops, thereby conveying the impression that the public supports its proposals.  It is important for middle-of-the-road folks to counter this.  The School Board’s schedule for public meetings — two per month on Thursday evenings — is posted on its website.  The meetings are at Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Road, in the Merrifield area of Falls Church.
• Write to the School Board members to express your opinions.  Although the official period for online public comment has now expired, citizens can contact the Board at any time, either by letter or email.  Go to the “School Board Members” tab on the www.fcps.edu/school-board website to see a list of the Board members and instructions for contacting them.
• Spread the word to your friends and neighbors so that they will be aware of what’s being proposed.

It sometimes seems that opposition is futile to the steamroller flood of ideological proposals being considered by this School Board.  In this instance, at least, your participation can really make a difference.  The Board recognized in the Spring that the sex-ed proposal rests on shaky ground.  They fear a public outcry, particularly since all their seats will be up for reelection in 2023.  So please consider taking the time to get involved.

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