Virginia school board approves anti-CRT resolution, delays vote on sex ed proposal

A school board in Virginia approved a resolution banning Critical Race Theory but delayed a vote on a separate resolution addressing parental consent on sexual education and content.

Both resolutions were introduced by Orange County School Board member Chelsea Quintern, who defended the proposals amidst some heckling from the audience, according to a report from the Washington Post. 

Board member Chelsea Quintern

The anti-CRT resolution, passing by a 3-2 vote at Monday’s meeting, “declares that Critical Race Theory and the former Board of Education’s EdEquity Framework shall not be part of its training program, curriculum, nor materials in Orange County Public Schools.”

Quintern argued that banning racially-charged curriculum would result in less division among students and even protect LBGTQ students, according to the Post.

The other resolution seeks to ensure parental consent on matters of sexual education and sexually explicit content, as well as require the school “to notify parents of healthcare services and involvement in critical decisions affecting students’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being; including, but not limited to self-identification.” 

This proposal would prevent situations where a school conceals information from parents about a student’s preferred gender pronouns or related gender-identity changes. It also ensures that parents are involved in any related counseling, advice or treatments. 

“This resolution would allow schools, parents and students to bridge the resources needed to assist the children in an equitable manner,” Quintern said, according to the Post. “Under this resolution, these students could be better protected against discrimination, as the families would be more engaged with the upbringing of their child.”

However, Quintern, with the other four board members, agreed to delay a vote on the resolution until after the Virginia Department of Education publishes its guidelines for handling sexually explicit material, which is expected by the end of July.