Along partisan lines, the Cobb Board of Education voted on Thursday to uphold Superintendent Chris Ragsdale’s decision to fire an elementary school teacher for violating Georgia’s “divisive concepts” in education law.
By a 4-3 vote, the Republican majority approved a motion by GOP member David Chastain to reject a tribunal’s recommendation against terminating Katie Rinderle of Due West Elementary School, and support Ragsdale’s recommendation “effective immediately.”
The brief discussion did not identify Rinderle by name, but did reference the decision of the three-member tribunal, which earlier this week issued a report following a public hearing.
The school board took action at a Thursday night meeting following an executive session, and after hearing comments from the public.
The board’s three Democrats voted against the termination; one of them, Post 2 member Becky Sayler, made a substitute motion to table the vote for further discussion.
Her motion failed 3-4 along the same partisan lines.
Rinderle could appeal the decision to the Georgia Board of Education. Her supporters have begun a fundraising effort that has raised more than $10,000 of a targeted $50,000.
Rinderle was represented by the Southern Poverty Law Center, which issued a statement from her:
“I am disappointed in the district’s decision to terminate me for reading an inclusive and affirming book – one that is representative of diverse student identities,” she said. “The district is sending a harmful message that not all students are worthy of affirmation in being their unapologetic and authentic selves. This decision, based on intentionally vague policies, will result in more teachers self-censoring in fear of not knowing where the invisible line will be drawn. Censorship perpetuates harm and students deserve better.”
In a release issued right after the board meeting, the Cobb County School District didn’t reference Rinderle by name but said only that “the District is pleased that this difficult issue has concluded; we are very serious about keeping our classrooms focused on teaching, learning, and opportunities for success for students. The Board’s decision is reflective of that mission.”
Rinderle was appealing her termination in June for reading a book to her students about gender identity called “My Shadow Is Purple.”
Cobb school administrators determined that violated a a 2022 state law that prohibits public school teachers from discussing a number of topics, including claims that racism is “systematically” racist, that a group of people is inherently “oppressive” and some issues about sex and gender identity.
The district formally accused Rinderle of insubordination, willful neglect of duties and “other good and sufficient cause.”
The tribunal of retired teachers concluded that there wasn’t enough evidence to find her guilty of insubordination.
She’s believed to be the first teacher fired in Georgia under the divisive concepts law, and argued in her appeal that she wasn’t provided proper guidance on how to teach about issues relating to gender identity.
The tribunal determined that among the lessons stemming from her reading of the book was the introduction of they/them preferred pronouns.
The panel also said that Rinderle “was knowingly untruthful when she denied understanding that the topic of gender identity or gender fluidity was a sensitive or controversial topic in this community” and that she “exhibited poor judgment when she failed to recognize the book and her lesson on ‘My Shadow is Purple’ addressed the topic of gender identity.”
Citizens, parents and educators spoke on either side of the matter at a board work session and before the vote, but were not allowed to discuss the particulars of Rinderle’s appeal, since it was a personnel matter.
Instead, many of them talked about parental rights, inclusion issues and what to be able to teach in a classroom.
East Cobb resident Micheal Garza, who introduced himself with he/him pronouns, said that inclusion is “being kind to everyone” and that’s something he and his wife instill in their daughter every day.
He said that “history will remember this time, when the civil rights of students were under attack by a small minority, and what side you were on in that fight to protect them.”
Kim Carlton, a retired Cobb special education teacher, said her decision to retire last year was sparked in part by how “things changed” about what and how she could teach when the new law went into effect.
Even what constitutes controversial material wasn’t clearly defined, she said.
“I could not find out exactly what that meant. At that point, I realized I could not teach . . . I was not respected or valued.”
But others argued that cultural issues should not be the emphasis in a classroom, and thanked Ragsdale for reinforcing parental rights and family values.
Teachers should not be trained in gender ideology, said Bill Marchione, but “reading, writing and and arithmetic. They shouldn’t deviate.”
Rick Burgess, whose three daughters graduated from Cobb schools, told board members that “your constituents are the students and their parents. Teachers do a wonderful job, but they are not your constituents.”
He asked board members to examine “their heart of hearts and determine what is the best decision for the students, not the teachers, the students.”
Related:
- Cobb schools tribunal rejects recommendation to fire teacher
- East Cobb schools hold steady in 2023 Georgia Milestones scores
- Lassiter art teacher named Cobb schools HS teacher of the year
- Cobb parents ask for ‘inclusivity’ after teacher’s firing
- Cobb school board adopts millage rate as Banks votes present
- Federal judge sides with Cobb schools in redistricting suit
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