Hiring of transgender teacher draws more heated debate at Wake school board meeting
Some speakers demanded Tuesday that the Wake County school board provide alternatives to elementary school parents who don’t want their children educated by a transgender teacher. The recent hiring of a transgender teacher at Middle Creek Elementary School in Apex has sparked national headlines with people both opposing and supporting the educator. On Tuesday, the Wake school board heard calls from speakers to allow parents to opt their children out of the teacher’s class.
“I am asking this board to listen to the parents,” said Becky Lew-Hobbs, Wake County chapter chair of Moms for Liberty. “Review what has occurred in the school. Ensure compliance with North Carolina law and provide reasonable alternatives to families who object.”
But some speakers rallied behind the transgender educator, calling opponents “bigots.” “Keep bigots off our campuses,” Katerina Day, a Wake County grandparent, told the board. “Relocate the children of bigots if needed. Expel the children of bigots if needed.” Hiring of trans teacher draws national attention
The situation first drew public attention in late July when Republican state Rep. Erin Paré posted online about “the hiring of a transgender biological male, who dresses as a woman ... in one of our local elementary schools.” Paré didn’t name the teacher. But others have posted the educator’s name and photo online, including the far-right social media account Libs of TikTok.
The News & Observer is not naming the teacher, who has not responded to The N&O’s requests for comment. Wake County is North Carolina’s largest school district with more than 160,000 students.