Pornographic books, ‘soldiers,’ a federal probe: School board battles are here to stay
This year’s elections are done, but the School Wars will go on and on.
Some might have thought, or even hoped, that with the political imperative of contests such as the governor races in Virginia and New Jersey, temperatures over race in curriculum and other education issues might cool. But there’s little chance of that.
In Keller this week, parents demanded answers at a school board meeting about library books they deem pornographic. Video of a Fort Worth ISD meeting drew national attention after speakers clashed and one threatened to return with soldiers “locked and loaded.”
This is a new, permanent political battlefield. So far, the left has struggled with a response. Some have clung to the technicality that “critical race theory” is not taught in schools. Others have argued that students need to know more about shameful racist episodes in our history and how the effects of racism linger. Some Democratic strategists are reportedly encouraging a more aggressive response.
The Biden Justice Department appears eager to engage. The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that the FBI is tracking threats on school trustees and teachers to “provide an opportunity for comprehensive analysis … for effective engagement with law enforcement partners at all levels.”
No threat of violence should be tolerated. But there may not be a more effective way to make this issue metastasize than to literally make federal cases out of passionate constituents engaging with their elected officials.
The feds are also investigating potential civil-rights violations in the Southlake Carroll district, one of the first to face these issues, NBC News reported Wednesday. Whatever they find, many will see it as a vengeful crackdown on an epicenter of parental involvement in schools.
The fight will spread beyond curriculum, too. Look for new scrutiny of school budgets, particularly the level of spending on “diversity, equity and inclusion” officials and programs. Voters are pushing back against bond programs in a new way. And reports of wasteful spending from the gusher of federal money meant to help districts make up for pandemic learning loss won’t help.
Our politics are increasingly centered on cultural issues. That makes school boards a battleground. It won’t change anytime soon.
Editor’s note: This column originally appeared in our opinion newsletter, Worth Discussion. It’s delivered every Wednesday with a fresh take on the news and a roundup of our best editorials, columns and other opinion content. Sign up here.
