DeSantis’ "Parental Rights" Movement Spills into Florida’s Schools
A New Front in the Political Battle
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ "parental rights" campaign didn’t win him the Republican presidential nomination, but it’s still having a significant impact on public education in Florida. The movement, which originated in opposition to pandemic precautions in schools and has since expanded to include concerns about classroom instruction on identity, race, and history, is shaping the political landscape of school boards across the state.
Moms for Liberty: A Key Player in the Movement
DeSantis has endorsed 23 school board candidates across 14 counties, including 14 incumbent members, in his effort to counter what he calls "woke" ideology in public schools. Many of these candidates have ties to Moms for Liberty, a conservative group that has been a driving force behind the parental rights movement. The group’s president, who did not respond to phone and email messages from The Associated Press, has been criticized for labeling opponents as child abusers and posting information about their children and homes online.
Candidates Like Katie Blaxberg Face Hostility
Katie Blaxberg, a registered Republican and former legislative aide, is running for an open seat on the Pinellas County School Board. Since launching her bid, she has been trolled online, called a child abuser, and has had to increase security at her home. Blaxberg, who supports school choice and parental involvement in the classroom, believes that activists behind the parental rights movement have gone too far. "I don’t want to feel unsafe in my house. And I don’t want my children to feel unsafe in my house, just because I’ve decided to run for public office," she said.
Local School Board Races in Pinellas County
The Pinellas County School Board races have drawn national attention, with the potential to determine political control of the district. The county has been shifting to the right in recent years, and conservative activists have been reading aloud explicit passages from books, labeling certain teaching materials as pornography, and accusing educators of being "groomers." Blaxberg’s opponents, including Republican Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna, have campaigned with Moms for Liberty-endorsed candidates, including Danielle Marolf, Stacy Geier, and Erika Picard.
Florida Faith Foundations: A New Player in the Game
Florida Faith Foundations, a group of pastors pushing to elect "the most biblically aligned candidates," has also entered the fray. The group’s president, Anthony McDaniel, has stated that he believes liberals and anti-God individuals are running too much in the country and advocates for the election of conservative, competent Christians to the Pinellas County School Board.
Critics Say Pattern of Action Shifts to Superintendent’s Office
Critics argue that when conservative-leaning school boards take office, they often target the superintendent. In Brevard and three other counties, superintendents were forced out after newly elected members took office, throwing the districts into chaos and costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Conclusion
The battle for control of Florida’s school boards is heating up, with DeSantis and his allies at the forefront. As the 2024 elections approach, candidates on both sides are vying for seats, each with their own agendas. The stakes are high, with the potential for long-lasting impacts on public education in the state.
FAQs
Q: What is the "parental rights" movement?
A: The parental rights movement is a political movement that emerged in opposition to pandemic precautions in schools and has since expanded to include concerns about classroom instruction on identity, race, and history.
Q: What is Moms for Liberty?
A: Moms for Liberty is a conservative group that has been a driving force behind the parental rights movement. The group’s president has been criticized for labeling opponents as child abusers and posting information about their children and homes online.
Q: What is the goal of Florida Faith Foundations?
A: Florida Faith Foundations is a group of pastors pushing to elect "the most biblically aligned candidates" to counter what they see as the "Spirit of Antichrist" at work in American life.
