Georgia Board of Education Upholds Firing of Teacher Who Read Gender Fluidity Book to Fifth Graders

The Georgia Board of Education has unanimously affirmed the firing of Katie Rinderle, a teacher with 10 years of experience, who read the book "My Shadow Is Purple" by Scott Stuart to her fifth-grade class at Due West Elementary School in Cobb County. The decision was made during the board meeting on Thursday, following complaints from some parents about the book's content on gender fluidity. Rinderle, who maintains the book was about inclusivity, was terminated in August and filed an appeal the following month.

Cobb County's rule prohibiting the teaching of controversial issues, which was enacted in 2022 after state laws were introduced on barring divisive concepts in education, has been a point of contention in Rinderle's case. The state board found that the policies were not "unconstitutionally vague" and that the firing was not a "predetermined outcome." Rinderle or the school district have 30 days to appeal the decision in Cobb County Superior Court.

Furthermore, Rinderle, supported by the Georgia Association of Educators, has filed a discrimination lawsuit against the district and its leaders in U.S. District Court in Atlanta. The lawsuit alleges that the district's vague censorship policies have targeted individuals like Rinderle who openly support LGBTQ students.

In response to the controversy, the Cobb County School District has removed books deemed sexually explicit from its libraries. The ongoing legislative session has seen proposals for bills seeking to regulate the content in schools, including banning sexually explicit books, prohibiting sex education for younger students, and allowing religious chaplains to counsel teachers and students.

The case involving Rinderle has ignited debates on freedom of expression in education, the role of school districts in determining curriculum, and the protection of LGBTQ rights in school settings.