House Bill-257 gives school principals some discretion in reporting misdemeanors to police. If a student steals a pencil, the principal can choose not to involve the police. MOST importantly, this law does not apply to rape or sexual assault as they are classified as felonies, and not misdemeanors.

Policy 8040 was enacted as a result of a statewide law that all schools must implement to provide safety and protection for LGTBQ+ students. Loudoun is implementing changes to make bathrooms, locker rooms, and other spaces safer and more private for ALL students. The recent assaults in a bathroom and classroom highlight the need to make sure all our spaces in schools are safe.

Countless authorities including teachers, administrators, and the superintendent have reiterated this. Our curriculum does not include critical race theory. CRT is college level theory that could not be taught at the K-12 level, and therefore is not in LCPS’s curriculum. Fight For Schools and others are pushing for “equality”, not “equity”. Their tactics could eliminate many services geared towards our disadvantaged student population; including special needs and would also eliminate gifted services.

A free and fair election is usually won by receiving more than 50% of the vote. To file for a recall in Virginia, you need signatures from ONLY 10% of the voters. This is the tactic that extremist groups are using in order to push their agenda and install the representatives of their choice when they don’t have the support to win elections.

School board members were participants in a Facebook group aimed at addressing racism. A Facebook user created a post that was immediately removed by the group admin. No School Board Members had any leadership role in the group. The LCSO has investigated the case and closed it with no charges made against any School Board Member.

Those pushing “concerns” are upset that School Board members can join moderated neighborhood and community groups where trolls and misinformation are removed.

The assaults were horrific and need to be addressed, but the School Board is not the right target for our anger. Board Members are not informed of any details in cases that would require student discipline, regardless of the infraction. They must remain unbiased in order for the student to file an appeal, if needed. We need to address the failings of -- and make real policy changes to -- how LCPS, LCSO, and the courts handle sexual assaults.