Do the candidates running for school boards across Warren County support the rights of parents?
Join the effort to preserve our community by becoming a monthly donor today!
The Warren County Republicans sent a questionnaire to all school board candidates in Warren County. Many failed to respond. But some did. The questionnaire asked each candidate five questions. Among these was a question about their personal opinion on Iowa SF 496, a bill designed to establish “a parent’s or guardian’s right to make decisions affecting the parent’s or guardian’s child”, particularly in the context of education.
Many expressed support for the bill.
For example, Dr. Ryan Werling, a candidate for the Indianola school board, said, “I support SF 496. I feel parents in our school district have the right to have input into what they feel is appropriate for their children.”
Josh Lawrence, also running in Indianola, said simply, “I fully support SF 496.”
Matthew Edwards, a candidate for the Interstate 35 school board, gave a multi-paragraph response, showing his knowledge of SF 496. He concluded, “I believe the school serves the parent and enables the child. I do not believe the parent acquiesce, abdicates, or otherwise submits their child to the whims of the school.”
Other candidates, including Jeanette Campbell (Indianola), Mack Rankin (Indianola), Jeramie Enginorie (Carlise), and Matt Younker (Martensdale) expressed support for parental rights in the school setting.
But at least one candidate seemed rather perplexed by the question. Indianola school board candidate Bradi Darrah’s reply began with, “This question gives me pause. It feels tricky to answer as written.”
Does Ms. Darrah consider parental authority a “tricky” issue? She explains,
As a board member, I do not have the ability to write or revise law. Rather, I would be asked to be versed in the laws pertaining to education and to help my fellow board members interpret them so we can ensure we are following them. From this perspective, this particular legislation is a bit of a struggle in that it contains some vague phrasing that makes it difficult to interpret and enforce (for example, “age appropriate” is defined very differently within different families), which is part of why it has been challenged in court.
Darrah did not give any indication on if or how she would “interpret and enforce” SF 496 or if she supports the fundamental principle that the legislation seeks to uphold, namely, a parent’s rights and authority in their own child’s education.
The people elected to the school boards will have oversight over the education of most children in our county. As parents cast their votes by November 4, it is important they know if the candidates will support their rights and authority. Voters should only vote for candidates who clearly indicate their willingness to uphold parental rights.
You can read candidates’ answers to all the questions here.
Leave a Reply