Concerns Raised Over Student Abortion Support in Virginia School

Recently, Zenida Perez, a teacher at Centerville High School in Northern Virginia, found herself in the spotlight after an unexpected visitor arrived. Mary McGowan, a retired attorney associated with Fairfax County public schools, interviewed Perez for nearly three hours regarding a significant issue. Specifically, issues surrounding the funding and support provided for a student’s abortion in 2021, allegedly without parental consent, had come to light.

Michelle Reed, the superintendent of the Clifton School District, responded to inquiries about the situation, stating that the district had learned of the potential scandal and was taking immediate action to investigate everything thoroughly.

Perez has reported, during her discussion with McGowan, that she’s raised alarms about this abortion issue multiple times since May 2022. She mentioned that the school officials had been trying to cover up these allegations.

In the interviews, Perez recounted her first warning about the situation, which she issued on May 5, 2022, during a meeting with former school president Chad Lehman and an assistant principal. She claimed that social workers facilitated and financed an abortion for a 17-year-old student without the guardian’s knowledge.

Perez’s concerns continued when she sent a follow-up letter on May 13, 2022, and had more discussions with Lehman in November 2022, all while referencing audio recordings from those meetings. The school district’s policy ostensibly encourages parental involvement in discussions about students’ well-being, yet Perez voiced concerns that this wasn’t being practiced in the cases she cited.

When asked for a comment on Perez’s statements, a spokesperson for Fairfax County Public Schools indicated it was an ongoing HR issue, making them unable to provide further details.

Originally from Cuba, Perez moved to the U.S. in 1990 after attaining her master’s degree in teaching English as a second language. She later landed a role within the Fairfax County public school system after teaching in Florida.

At Centerville High School, nearly 20% of students are learning English as a second language, and a significant number come from low-income households. Perez learned about one particular student’s situation—that of a Guatemalan girl—who claimed a social worker had facilitated her abortion without informing her family, out of fear of their reaction.

Interestingly, after her first meeting with Lehman, Perez felt compelled to email him again, highlighting ongoing concerns about social workers assisting students with “pregnancy issues.” She recorded a subsequent conversation with Lehman where he appeared confused about the previous discussions regarding the abortion allegations.

Julie Perry, another teacher at Centerville, expressed her sympathy for Perez’s situation, recalling her own experiences in a politically charged environment, especially after running for a seat in Congress in a predominantly Democratic district. Perry noted how complicated matters became when discussing the truth regarding these sensitive issues.

After Perez shared her concerns with another attorney from a law firm, she received reassurance that her issues would be addressed properly. However, in May, she learned of more alarming instances where a teen had been offered assistance with an abortion at five months pregnant, but ultimately chose not to go through with it. Now, that teen is navigating the challenges of motherhood.

With the situation drawing increased attention, Perez returned to Centerville High School with renewed commitment and the belief that she stands on the side of truth.

“I feel strong. I have truth and God by my side,” she concluded.