Cobb County School Board Terminates Fifth-Grade Teacher After Controversial Reading of Book on Gender Identity

The Cobb County School Board in Georgia has made a controversial decision to terminate a fifth-grade teacher, Katie Rinderle, who was suspended for reading a book about gender identity to her students last school year. The decision has sparked a debate about what public school teachers can teach in class and how much a school system can control teachers.

Rinderle had purchased the book “My Shadow Is Purple” by Scott Stuart at a school book fair. However, a parent complaint led to a months-long investigation that determined reading the book violated Georgia’s “divisive concepts” law. On Thursday evening, the school board voted 4-3 to officially terminate Rinderle, overriding the recommendation of a panel of three retired educators.

Rinderle had been a teacher for 10 years at Due West Elementary School in Marietta when she got into trouble in March for reading the picture book. The book is about a gender-fluid character who is born with a purple shadow and explores the idea of gender identity.

The case has drawn wide attention as a test of what public school teachers can teach in class and how much a school system can control teachers. Supporters of Rinderle have argued that the school board’s decision is an example of censorship and an infringement on academic freedom. However, opponents of Rinderle have argued that the book is inappropriate for children and that the school board was within its rights to terminate her.

The decision has sparked a debate about the role of public school teachers and the power of school systems to control teachers. It remains to be seen how this case will shape the future of public school education in Georgia.