The Cobb County, Georgia, Board of Education has voted to fire fifth-grade teacher Katie Rinderle for reading a book on so-called "gender identity" called "My Shadow Is Purple."

Rinderle, a ten-year veteran of the Cobb County school system, was accused of violating elements of three state laws that progressives have labeled as "censorship" but parents would call "common sense." The Protect Students First Act limits teaching "divisive concepts;" the “Parents’ Bill of Rights,” which requires disclosure of teaching materials to parents; and a law restricting the content of books in school libraries and classrooms. From reports submitted as part of the disciplinary proceeding, Rinderly was also somewhat less than candid with her supervisors.

The tribunal that first heard her case found she had created and performed this "instruction" without clearing it with the school administration or informing parents of the book's content. She provided no opportunity for an "opt-out" by parents. In the class discussion of the book, she required that the main character, a boy, be referred to as "they" and not as he or him. She also told students who believed the male character in the story was a boy that their perception "was due to their own biases or stereotypes."

The Cobb County Board of Education created a tribunal of retired educators to review the case and make a recommendation. That tribunal found that although Rinderle, a veteran teacher, had violated numerous elements of state law and board of education policy and had deceived the school administration and board of education about her intention to offer the propaganda and refused to acknowledge that her conduct was wrong, that she should not be fired because teachers are super special and totally exempt from laws and regulations and entitled to teach your kids whatever the hell they want to teach them. Okay, I made up everything after "fired," but refusing to fire a deceptive and recalcitrant employee has to have a reason.

When the Board of Education reviewed the tribunal's findings, they disagreed and voted to terminate Rinderle.

Rinderle is being represented by a known hate group, the Southern Poverty Law Center, that vows to fight for Rinderle's reinstatement.

“There is no legitimate explanation for this termination,” said Attorney Craig Goodmark. “To fire a teacher under a law that no two people could agree on is wrong. Ms. Rinderle, like other Georgia educators, does not know where the lines are drawn when it comes to sensitive, controversial, or divisive concepts. After two days of trial, we still do not know.”

“We are disappointed in this decision, but not surprised,” said Mike Tafelski, senior supervising attorney for children’s rights at the SPLC. We knew this was a predetermined outcome dictated by Chris Ragsdale and the Cobb County Board of Education majority. They continue to prioritize discrimination, bigotry and retaliation in Cobb County Schools. And we will continue to hold them accountable for their unlawful conduct. This is not the end of this case. This is the beginning.” 

The statement is utter balderdash. All Rinderle had to do to find out "where the lines are drawn" was comply with law and regulations. She needed to ask the school administration for permission, and if that was granted, she needed to let the affected parents know what she was teaching and give them the opportunity to opt out. This is not rocket science. This is professionalism and common courtesy. What we're seeing here is a test case being constructed for a legal challenge of the laws Rinderle was accused of violating.

Public education is in a crisis. Its crisis isn't a lack of resources because our funding of public education is among the most extravagant in the world. It is difficult to find a school district where teachers are paid less than the median per capita income in the district; in fact, teachers are usually paid approximately the same as the median household (that would be the income of two people for those who learned math via Common Core) income in that district. The crisis is caused by a system that pampers its employees. And the employees are highly likely to be political activists who don't recognize the right of parents to raise their children, who are disdainful of any effort to rein them in, and who turn out a crap product.

In the end, I think Rinderle will stay fired, and the Georgia laws will be upheld. But unless more school boards are willing to act in a forceful manner in the face of open insubordination, the situation will never change.