A Virginia father convicted of protesting the Loudoun County School Board and later pardoned by Gov. Glenn Youngkin expressed anger Thursday over the group’s recent efforts to “keep out” parents. did.
Last week, the board voted to follow party lines and turn off cameras during the public comment portion of meetings. According to FOX5. When the new policy goes into effect in April, only audio and subtitles will be provided for that portion of the meeting.
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“We have nine new school board members this year, and all of them have campaigned for transparency and reducing division, which is the exact opposite of what they all campaigned for,” Scott Smith said in America’s News. Room” he told. “They let us down. They haven’t lived up to their word and are just trying to shut us out.”
“They are trying to remove mothers and fathers and grandparents from the public eye in order to speak out against radical policies,” he continued.
Smith’s daughter was sexually assaulted by a transgender student at Stonebridge High School in 2021. Youngkin was later pardoned after being found guilty of disorderly conduct stemming from an argument at a school board meeting over her daughter’s handling of the investigation. attack.
“Mr. Smith did what any father, any parent would do: stand up for his child,” Youngkin said. “This was… [a] This is a serious miscarriage of justice. ”
While school board members who voted to block the cameras defended their decision, others pointed to concerns stemming from the transparency of the school board’s efforts.
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According to the newspaper, Loudoun County Chairwoman Malinda Mansfield argued that there may be concerns from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) because it cannot control what people say or wear. He further emphasized this decision. washington examiner.
“I want our neighborhood schools to be excellent, and I don’t want this department to be in the news,” said April Chandler, one of the school board members. “That’s why I don’t support efforts to turn the cameras back on. Turning them back on now will only invite and undermine the school board’s work.”
But the new policy has infuriated some parents, including a “new wave of parents” concerned about school boards’ stance on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. ”, Smith argued.
“A new wave of parents showed up…The reason they decided to turn off the cameras was because the Hindu and Muslim communities showed up…The school board can’t afford to let the virus spread any further. “I think I was surprised to the point that it wasn’t going to happen,” Smith said. “The moment you go across land and keep waking up your parents like I did…you say no to this.”
Smith said Policy 8040, which allows transgender students to use the restroom of their choice, goes against the beliefs of Hindus and Muslims in the district, who “are very upset about this.” he pointed out.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“Policy 8040 is the policy they were trying to pass three years ago when they covered up my daughter’s rape, a policy that would allow boys and girls to go into bathrooms that sympathize with them,” he said. Ta.
The policy says:: “Students should be allowed to use facilities that correspond to the gender identity they consistently claim. Some transgender students will want that access, while others will want more privacy.” Depending on the size of the school, the provision of separate or single-occupancy toilets may be desirable. please. ”
Smith and his family are still embroiled in a legal battle stemming from his daughter’s assault.
“We look forward to the day when justice is served and we can finally hold some people accountable,” Smith said. “But we have a lot ahead of us, a big battle ahead of us… We look forward to being able to get through this someday, but for now We are still in the middle of a battle.” The fight for our lives. ”
FOX News’ Anders Hagström contributed to this report.
Bailee Hill is an associate editor at Fox News Digital. Story ideas can be sent to bailee.hill@fox.com.
Loudoun County dad pardoned by Gov. Youngkin outraged after school board censors public comment: ‘Let us down’
A Virginia father convicted of protesting the Loudoun County School Board and later pardoned by Gov. Glenn Youngkin expressed anger Thursday over the group’s recent efforts to “keep out” parents. did.
Last week, the board voted to follow party lines and turn off cameras during the public comment portion of meetings. According to FOX5. When the new policy goes into effect in April, only audio and subtitles will be provided for that portion of the meeting.
Loudoun County Superintendent Scott Ziegler fired after grand jury report into handling of sexual assault case
“We have nine new school board members this year, and all of them have campaigned for transparency and reducing division, which is the exact opposite of what they all campaigned for,” Scott Smith said in America’s News. Room” he told. “They let us down. They haven’t lived up to their word and are just trying to shut us out.”
“They are trying to remove mothers and fathers and grandparents from the public eye in order to speak out against radical policies,” he continued.
Smith’s daughter was sexually assaulted by a transgender student at Stonebridge High School in 2021. Youngkin was later pardoned after being found guilty of disorderly conduct stemming from an argument at a school board meeting over her daughter’s handling of the investigation. attack.
“Mr. Smith did what any father, any parent would do: stand up for his child,” Youngkin said. “This was… [a] This is a serious miscarriage of justice. ”
While school board members who voted to block the cameras defended their decision, others pointed to concerns stemming from the transparency of the school board’s efforts.
Yongkin Advertising declares that “parents still matter” amid 2024 speculation
According to the newspaper, Loudoun County Chairwoman Malinda Mansfield argued that there may be concerns from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) because it cannot control what people say or wear. He further emphasized this decision. washington examiner.
“I want our neighborhood schools to be excellent, and I don’t want this department to be in the news,” said April Chandler, one of the school board members. “That’s why I don’t support efforts to turn the cameras back on. Turning them back on now will only invite and undermine the school board’s work.”
But the new policy has infuriated some parents, including a “new wave of parents” concerned about school boards’ stance on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. ”, Smith argued.
“A new wave of parents showed up…The reason they decided to turn off the cameras was because the Hindu and Muslim communities showed up…The school board can’t afford to let the virus spread any further. “I think I was surprised to the point that it wasn’t going to happen,” Smith said. “The moment you go across land and keep waking up your parents like I did…you say no to this.”
Smith said Policy 8040, which allows transgender students to use the restroom of their choice, goes against the beliefs of Hindus and Muslims in the district, who “are very upset about this.” he pointed out.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“Policy 8040 is the policy they were trying to pass three years ago when they covered up my daughter’s rape, a policy that would allow boys and girls to go into bathrooms that sympathize with them,” he said. Ta.
The policy says:: “Students should be allowed to use facilities that correspond to the gender identity they consistently claim. Some transgender students will want that access, while others will want more privacy.” Depending on the size of the school, the provision of separate or single-occupancy toilets may be desirable. please. ”
Smith and his family are still embroiled in a legal battle stemming from his daughter’s assault.
“We look forward to the day when justice is served and we can finally hold some people accountable,” Smith said. “But we have a lot ahead of us, a big battle ahead of us… We look forward to being able to get through this someday, but for now We are still in the middle of a battle.” The fight for our lives. ”
FOX News’ Anders Hagström contributed to this report.
Bailee Hill is an associate editor at Fox News Digital. Story ideas can be sent to bailee.hill@fox.com.
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