In a bold and defiant stand against the recently passed AB 1955, several California school boards are stepping up to protect parental rights, even as the controversial law threatens to upend the traditional relationship between parents and schools. AB 1955, set to go into effect on January 1, 2025, prohibits school districts from enacting policies requiring parents to be notified if their child asks to be recognized by a different name or pronoun at school. Despite this, school districts like Cajon Valley and Marysville Joint Unified are taking a firm stance, passing and proposing parental notification policies in direct opposition to the new law.
Cajon Valley School District’s Stand
The Cajon Valley School District recently passed a resolution requiring schools to notify parents if their child under twelve requests to be identified by a different name or gender at school. The policy mandates that parents be informed within three days of such a request, ensuring they are kept in the loop about significant aspects of their child’s life. This resolution is a clear rebuke to AB 1955 and reflects the district’s commitment to maintaining parental involvement in critical decisions affecting their children.
The resolution states: “For students under the age of twelve (12), their parents and/or guardians to be notified by the District, through the principal/administrative designee, in writing, within three school days from being made aware that a student is… requesting to be identified or treated consistent with a gender other than the student’s gender listed on official District records.” This policy also includes provisions for protecting students from potential harm, ensuring that notification is withheld if there is a reasonable belief that it would subject the student to abuse or neglect.
Marysville Joint Unified School District Trustee’s Bold Speech
Similarly, in Marysville Joint Unified School District, Trustee Seth Stemen made headlines with a powerful speech condemning AB 1955 and announcing his intent to introduce a similar Gender Parent Notification Policy. Stemen’s speech was a passionate defense of parental rights and a critique of the state’s overreach into family matters.
“Recently, the governor signed into law AB 1955, now known as the Safety Act,” Stemen began. “This law blatantly puts division between the child’s parent or legal guardian and their children’s teachers, school administration, and district as a whole. How much distrust of our schools and teachers does this law sow into our families? I refuse to look away, keep silent, and be complicit in such a vile and vicious attack on our families.”
Stemen’s words resonated with many parents and community members who are concerned about the increasing governmental control over parental decisions. He highlighted the absurdity of the situation, where a child can make significant decisions about their identity without parental consent while still needing a parent’s permission for something as simple as getting their ears pierced. His speech concluded with a call to action, urging his fellow board members and the community to support the introduction of a parental notification policy and to stand firm against the encroachment on their rights.
Praise from California Family Council
Greg Burt, Vice President of CFC, praised the districts for their courage in upholding the U.S. Constitution and protecting parental rights.
“In a time when the state seems determined to erode the fundamental rights of parents, it’s encouraging to see school boards like those in Cajon Valley and Marysville standing firm,” Burt said. “The U.S. Constitution is the ultimate law of the land, and it is heartening to witness these districts defending it by ensuring that parents remain central in their children’s lives. But this fight isn’t just about parental rights—it’s also about religious liberty. Christian parents, or parents of any other faith, should not have their deeply held beliefs disrespected by the school system. The right of parents to pass along their religious beliefs about gender and sexuality to their children must not be undermined by the state. The decisions being made by these school boards are not just about policies—they are about protecting the very fabric of our society, which is the family.”
The Path Forward
As AB 1955 looms on the horizon, the actions taken by these school districts signal a growing resistance to state policies that undermine parental authority. The legal battle against AB 1955 is already underway, with lawsuits being filed that challenge the law’s constitutionality. These cases are expected to escalate to higher courts, potentially reaching the U.S. Supreme Court.
In the meantime, school districts across California are watching closely as Cajon Valley, Marysville Joint Unified, and others take a stand. The outcome of this conflict will have significant implications for the state of California and the nation as it grapples with preventing state authority from usurping parental rights and religious liberty.
Amidst the legal and political battles, it’s worth noting that homeschooling and educational co-ops have surged in popularity as parents seek alternatives to public education, underscoring the profound shifts happening within the educational landscape in response to state policies like AB 1955. This trend may well continue, as more families prioritize environments where their rights and values are fully respected.
As the fight over AB 1955 intensifies, one thing is clear: California’s battle for parental rights is far from over. School boards, parents, and advocacy groups like the California Family Council are ready to continue their stand, ensuring that the voices of families are not silenced in the halls of government or the classrooms of the state.
