School Board Elections: Families First!

Next Tuesday Warren County voters will decide what kind of education their children will receive in the coming years. And it’s a big deal.

In Virginia and here at home, two issues have dominated the education debate: the “Gender Agenda” and “Critical Race Theory.”

You’ve heard of the “Gender Agenda.” Throw out your biology textbooks, kids, boys can be girls. Enough said.

But it’s for real, and this policy recently resulted in the alleged rape in the girl’s restroom of a Loudoun County school. The culprit? A boy dressed in a skirt. To make things worse, the school board allegedly covered up the alleged crime and merely transferred the boy to another school.

And “Critical Race Theory”? To put it bluntly, “CRT” is nothing short of reverse racism dressed up with big words. It’s bunk.

Frankly, these two issues are not educational at all. They’re political, and they’re being pushed by the public-school unions, one of the most radical political lobbying forces in the country (Yes – they’re the same outfits demanding that schools be closed as long as possible).

Forcing these divisive, highly-charged political issues into our classrooms would distract students from the challenge they face – right now! – to get back on their feet and catch up with their genuine education.

I’ve taught at every level from high school through graduate research universities. Every one of them demands that the student enter fully prepared with a solid grounding in the basics. If our public schools waste their time peddling political agendas of any flavor, they’re cheating the students of their right to that foundation.

And they’re also violating the rights of families. Parents, not public schools, teach their children political and moral values. Period.

In next Tuesday’s election, I think three candidates embrace these principles when it comes to teaching our children for future success.

They are Al Gunn (a write-in candidate) for the Fork District, Melanie Salins for the North River District, and Stephanie Short for the Happy Creek District.

These “family first” candidates believe that teachers work for the families that pay their salaries. They will work with families, not against them. They want to affirm the values and principles that children are learning from their parents, not contradict them.

Families come first. Your vote next Tuesday can make a difference. It really is a big deal.

Christopher Manion
Warren County