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As VA Gov Race Enters Home Stretch, Republican Emphasizes Parental Rights in Education

Posted on Thursday, October 21, 2021
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by AMAC Newsline
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AMAC Exclusive – By Shane Harris

Virginia

In the closing weeks of the Virginia Governor’s race, Republican candidate Glenn Youngkin is betting big on one issue in particular to propel him to victory: education. That was on full display at a packed event in Burke, Virginia this past Tuesday, where Youngkin promised to hold school board officials and administrators accountable and presented his education plan for the state.

Specifically, Youngkin called for an investigation into the Loudoun County school board and superintendent after it was recently revealed that school administrators allegedly covered up the sexual assault of a ninth-grade girl in a school bathroom this past May. According to the bombshell report from the Daily Wire, a “gender fluid” male student wearing a skirt entered a girl’s bathroom at Stone Bridge High School and raped a female student. The school board and superintendent not only neglected to report that sexual assault to the Virginia Department of Education, as is required by state law, but also allegedly failed to report several other similar cases over the past number of years. Worse, the school board allegedly allowed the offender to re-enroll at nearby Broad Run High School while the investigation was still pending, where he sexually assaulted another female student.

“As a Virginian, I’m heartbroken for these girls and their families,” Youngkin said at the event on Tuesday. “I’m heartbroken at how their government leaders failed them. As a father, I am ignited with an unwavering resolve to not just fix this, but to hold those who have failed our children accountable.”

“The time for closed door conversation and silencing parents is over,” Youngkin continued, adding that “those that are responsible must be fired or resign immediately.”

Youngkin also called out President Biden for ordering the FBI to investigate parents who expressed outrage over such occurrences during school board meetings. One such parent who many on the left labeled a “domestic terrorist” was Scott Smith, the father of the young girl who was raped at Stone Bridge High School. Smith was arrested at a school board meeting earlier this year after he was denied the opportunity to speak following the superintendent’s statement that the school system had “no record” of sexual assault occurring in a bathroom. “Instead of investigating parents, the Department of Justice should be investigating those who have covered up a heinous crime on our students,” Youngkin said.

Youngkin promised that as governor, he would deliver a new direction for education in the commonwealth that would keep students safe and raise standards that have waned in recent years under Democratic governance. In addition to pledging a full investigation of the Loudoun County school board, Youngkin said that he would withhold funding if schools did not hire resource officers. He also said that schools should conduct an annual safety audit in conjunction with local law enforcement, and that schools would have to report crimes to the police and to Virginia Department of Education officials under his watch.

Importantly, Youngkin also pledged to give parents a greater say in the education of their children, something that Democrat candidate Terry McAuliffe has expressed opposition to, saying recently that “I don’t think parents should be telling schools what they should teach.” A strong proponent of school choice, Youngkin has promised to open 20 new charter schools in Virginia with money from the American Rescue Plan Act, and further insists on complete transparency for parents about what material their kids are taught.

After other issues like crime and the economy dominated the campaign early on, education has taken center stage for both candidates in recent weeks. According to one CBS News poll, 62% of likely voters say that education will be a “major factor” in their voting decision.

While the race remains a dead heat, there are signs that Youngkin’s pivot to focusing on education issues is resonating with Virginia voters. After most polls showed McAuliffe with a 5-7 point advantage in August, Youngkin has effectively pulled even.

It’s likely that Youngkin’s outreach to parents has at least something to do with that, particularly as kids return to schools, many in-person for the first time in over a year. After McAuliffe’s aforementioned comments that parents should not be able to tell schools what to teach, Youngkin launched an initiative called “Parents Matter,” which his campaign website calls “a movement of families, parents, children, and caring neighbors that will stand up to and reject Terry McAuliffe’s attempts to silence parents and stand between them and their children’s education.”

Youngkin has since held several Parents Matter rallies throughout the state, emphasizing that “parents have a fundamental right to be engaged in their kids’ education.” Youngkin also spoke at a “Rally to Save our Schools” in Loudoun County last month, where he again said that schools were failing students in Virginia under new woke policies and curricula like Critical Race Theory and other so-called “equity” initiatives. As part of his “Day One Game Plan,” Youngkin has promised to ban Critical Race Theory and its related ideologies from Virginia public schools.

If Youngkin wins on November 2, it will mark a major victory for Republicans not just in Virginia, but nationally heading into next year’s midterm elections. The Youngkin campaign’s focus on parental rights in education may also provide a roadmap for vulnerable Republicans to shore up their own reelection bids while also unseating Democrats from swing districts. Perhaps most importantly for Republicans, a potential Democratic collapse in what has been a reliably blue state in recent elections would leave many Democrats second-guessing the rising influence of progressive leaders and policies within the party, widening the already obvious rift threatening the Democrat agenda in Washington.

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Eileen Ruth
Eileen Ruth
2 years ago

Back in the 70’s my husband & I started to study the state education laws. We were dissatisfied with public school teachings & decided to try it ourselves. Every day we had to “de-program” our children & it was frustrating, to say the least. Using a fine toothed comb, we kept returning to the phrase that it was the “parents responsibility to see that children were properly educated”. It was ambiguous & we jumped in both feet. I asked the school for a curriculum for each of my children – they had none. Yet, they demanded one from me. I spent the entire summer creating three on each subject to be taught. The superintendent of schools said he didn’t want us setting a precedent. After meeting their demands, we began teaching that September. It was highly successful & many people around the state asked that we teach their children. We spoke to them on an individual basis & instructed them on what steps to follow. Their reasons for wanting to do home-schooling varied. We had calls from various countries, after appearing in TIME MAGAZINE. Even back then – we sensed a desperation in the parents who rejected public education. It was quite an adventure.

Eileen Ruth
Eileen Ruth
2 years ago

Back in the 70’s my husband & I started to study the state education laws. We were dissatisfied with public school teachings & decided to try it ourselves. Every day we had to “de-program” our children & it was frustrating, to say the least. Using a fine toothed comb, we kept returning to the phrase that it was the “parents responsibility to see that children were properly educated”. It was ambiguous & we jumped in both feet. I asked the school for a curriculum for each of my children – they had none. Yet, they demanded one from me. I spent the entire summer creating three on each subject to be taught. The superintendent of schools said he didn’t want us setting a precedent. After meeting their demands, we began teaching that September. It was highly successful & many people around the state asked that we teach their children. We spoke to them on an individual basis & instructed them on what steps to follow. Their reasons for wanting to do home-schooling varied. We had calls from various countries, after appearing in TIME MAGAZINE. Even back then – we sensed a desperation in the parents who rejected public education. It was quite an adventure.

HocasPocas
HocasPocas
2 years ago

Just reading that the race is close is a good indication that this election will also be rigged for the democrats

Jane CA
Jane CA
2 years ago

That’s terrific for Va. But where doe North Carolina stand?Stop raceism now! CTR should be banned as well as “Gender Fluid” Males sharing the same bathroom. During the days of my public education, Parents were expected to participate in their childrens education. If for some reasons the parent(s) could not, provisions were made. Those were the days, when we pledged allegiance to the flag every morning !!

Joanne 4 justice
Joanne 4 justice
2 years ago

I agree 200% it is the parent or guardians right to censor academics and keep their MINOR AGED CHILDREN SAFE AS WELL!!!!!

PattyAnn
PattyAnn
2 years ago

every 2 & 4 years we have to listen to politicians campaign their BS on what they’re going to do during their term only to be disappointed that nothing really gets accomplished. and during that term we all once again frustrated at the process and wait for the next election to vote them out so that we can vote in another politician with false promises. it’s a vicious circle! it would be nice to actually see good results from promises…oh yeah, we actually had that from a non-politician…trump!

Barb
Barb
2 years ago

Let’s see how long it takes the cheaters to check out the cemetery to get additional votes when they realize their party is behind….

BAE
BAE
2 years ago

Critical race theory should be outlawed in all schools. Merrick Garland, AG should removed from office. Garland and his family have made millions $$$$$$$ from CRT. He is too corrupt to serve the America tax payer…

Lois
Lois
2 years ago

With all the disgusting things we hear today my heart breaks for the children. They are
collateral damage for the desires and fears of adults.They have lost two years of their
education and memories. We don’t want them back to learn to question their race and
gender.They are there to learn the basic 3R’s and to get along with other children.The
government has no right to indoctrinate and many teachers would do just that.

Mike B.
Mike B.
2 years ago

How can this race be at a dead heat ? Who would vote for a creature who hasn’t had this monster arrested , and jailed? They arrest the father for his words , and actions ! The whole school board should be fired ,and replaced immediately! Any mother, or father that doesn’t vote for Youngkin has his, or her head up there back side . I don’t care if your children are grown, and out of the house! This is not America ! Please VA , get out , and vote!

DebS
DebS
2 years ago

As a product of public education for 12 years, I can only remember having on the very least 3 excellent teachers that actually cared about their students and their subject matter. It was worse in community college, never had a professor that actually taught anything useful. But once I transferred to a University tor finish out my education it was totally different, the professors really took an interest in their students and their teaching method. Yes, parents should certainly have a say in what is being taught to their children, after all we pay taxes to support the schools.

jocko
jocko
2 years ago

united states of latin america, now, FORMERLY THE GREAT UNITED STATES

jocko
jocko
2 years ago

WHY IS THE CANCEROUS liberal MEDIA SHOWING 98 % BLACK MEN WITH WHITE WOMEN IN ALL OF THE TV COMMERCIALS ? OH, YEAH, JUST ANOTHER METHOD TO DESTROY OUR NATION

Hal
Hal
2 years ago

When will they ever learn? DemocRats don’t follow laws if they don’t fit their propaganda output. If any state, VA or any other, wants to maintain integrity of school leadership and authority, they better elect non-DemocRats to high offices.

R.J. from Arizona
R.J. from Arizona
2 years ago

Having lived in Virginia over 30 years, I offer this. Northern VA counties are for the most part federal government employees, hence solid democrat. Tidewater is democrat as Richmond area.
IF VA has an honest election, Youngkin could pull it off, but I doubt he will win.i hope I am wrong, Virginia was a great state. Also, if Youngkin does win, what about the House of Delegates and Senate who are Socialist?

Robin Walter Boyd
Robin Walter Boyd
2 years ago

I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for a Republican win of this election that will hopefully set off a series of other Progressive Democrats being ousted from political positions. We need to take back our schools, take back our social lives, take back our medical and insurance issues and take back our government before we go one inch further into a Socialism that will rapidly be overtaken by the Communists we have been fighting for over a century. We are losing a war that has been waged from inside the U.S. with foreign Communist support.

Rik
Rik
2 years ago

McAuliffe ran one of the dumbest campaigns in history. And guess what?
. . . I predict HE WILL WIN IN A LANDSLIDE! . . . Why? . . . Because the Commies can’t afford to have him lose!
Just like Biden AND Governor Newsom, he will win! . . . Until voter integrity laws are not only passed BUT TRULY ENFORCED, the Commies will continue to “win” every Election they desire! . . . Live and Learn Republicans, the COMMIES PLAY FOR KEEPS!

Eddie Van Halen
Eddie Van Halen
2 years ago

When are the VAST MAJORITY of voters going to wise up about these ( D ) marxist bozos ?
Caps not used intentionally out of pure disrespect.

Paul W
Paul W
2 years ago

If parental rights are as important to virginians as they seem to be, considering their fiery schoolboard meetings, I think Glenn Youngkin will edge out clintonista terry-boy. Of course, that’s assuming that it’s a free and fair election…a very big if!

Gregory Russell
Gregory Russell
2 years ago

Anyone who refuses to acknowledge the ABSOLUTE RIGHT of parents to say what their children will or will not be taught has NO place in any position of authority. PERIOD. STOP this godless, evil agenda.

MichEng
MichEng
2 years ago

Get out and vote Youngkin, Virginia voters!

Tim Toroian
Tim Toroian
2 years ago

And emphasize the Dems are actually hoping people won’t be parents at all.

Mark R
Mark R
2 years ago

Not holding my breath as the Republican Party believes this will be a fair election!! Ya sure and everybody believed there were weapons of mass destruction!

Ralph S
Ralph S
2 years ago

How ironic, the SOUTHERN Commonwealth of Virginia relies on UNION votes to keep DEMONrats in power.

Barb
Barb
2 years ago

I don’t live in VA but if I did he would get my vote!

liz
liz
2 years ago

I am in NC and so hope that Virginians will vote for the home-grown Virginian and send the New Yorker born progressive home!!!!!!!!!!

Joyce
Joyce
2 years ago

For a number of years, I have related to Richmond that our children are not getting a proper education. When you see an 8th grader carrying a 1st grade primer and you can see, from class, that they cannot read and cannot read or write cursive letters, you know there is a problem. As a substitute teacher for 5 years after I retired, I saw this. I am hopeful that Glenn Youngkin will win the election and make some changes.

Stephen Russell
Stephen Russell
2 years ago

Apply nationwide

Charles Almasy
Charles Almasy
2 years ago

Parental Rights is INDISPUTABLE !!! IN A FREE COUNTRY !!!

Lynda Buchholz
Lynda Buchholz
2 years ago

When I got my teachers education it was emphasized that we needed to involve the parents! It is unbelievable that now it is the opposite. Our world is going crazy!!!

Denise
Denise
2 years ago

If I lived in VA he would get my vote! Go Youngkin parents have rights too!

john
john
2 years ago

WHY is THIS VA thing even called a “race” ? ? with this GRIFTER-CROOK-mcaulfie continuing to LIE to try to keep the job he is & has SO BLANTENTLY FAILED AT ? ? ? Are there THAT many LOW-IQ/LOW-info-o-BOZO-phone-gimmedatz and other brainwashed/BRIBED DEMON-c-RATZ in VA ? ? ? – DISGUSTING ! ! ! ! !

Luke
Luke
2 years ago

So. The burning question is, “How will his opponent cheat?” I’m guessing that every brain-dead liberal, union member will vote against anything resembling decency or common sense.

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