Following a tragic incident where a student was killed in a crash involving a school service vehicle, the Loudoun County Public Schools Board (LCPS) held a closed safety training session for faculty and staff. Reports indicate that actors were hired to simulate parents engaged in “terrorist activity.” This unusual decision raised eyebrows.
Nick Minnock, a reporter for ABC7, revealed that these actors occupied the seats typically filled by parents at school board meetings, only to erupt into chaos, running and shouting. In this simulation, one of the “parents” was supposed to wield a gun. Participants were instructed to run, hide, or fight in response.
An LCPS spokesperson clarified that the meeting was conducted in line with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA), which permits public bodies to meet privately to discuss certain safety matters. They emphasized that the Board of Education does not view parents as terrorists.
Interestingly, the training included remarks from Board President April Chandler, who referred to parents as “instigators” and “disruptors.” This language harks back to a 2025 school board meeting in which parents expressed frustration over the suspension of two high school boys regarding a transgender locker room incident. The boys had been suspended after voicing discomfort about a transgender student using their locker room.
The training session took place shortly after the fatal accident involving 20-year-old Karina Yu, who was struck by an LCPS maintenance vehicle at an intersection near a school.
Minnock’s report led to further comments from LCPS, reiterating that the closed meeting was part of a broader discussion on public safety. They cited VFOIA regulations which allow such discussions, suggesting that the mention of terrorism in this context comes from statutory themes associated with safety protocols.
In addition, Chandler extended condolences to the family affected by the accident, noting the community’s shared grief.
LCPS follows a policy implemented in 2021 aimed at supporting transgender and gender-expansive students, requiring the use of preferred pronouns and access to facilities that match their gender identity. Recently, the Trump Justice Department filed a lawsuit against LCPS, contending that the enforcement of this policy infringes on the constitutional rights of the suspended students, asserting that it forces acceptance of gender ideology regardless of personal beliefs. This legal battle is ongoing.
Chandler’s response to inquiries regarding these matters has yet to be made available.
