Residents are Organizing to Ensure the School Board Doesn't Mute the Mic to Silence the Majority Descent

Date: Monday, February 13, 2023
Time: 7:00 PM MST
Location: Caldwell School District Board, 1502 Fillmore St., Caldwell, ID 83605

NEWS PROVIDED BY
Church United
Feb. 13, 2023

CALDWELL, Idaho, Feb. 13, 2023 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Caldwell School District Board introduced new transgender and LGBT policy 3281 during the January 9th, 2023, school board meeting. Over 1,000 concerned Idahoans packed the 50-seat school board meeting room, while the remaining parents and grandparents filled overflow rooms spilling into the halls, sidewalks, and parking lot in freezing temperatures. These policies would allow biological boys to go into girls' restrooms and locker rooms and prevent teachers from warning parents that their child is dealing with sex confusion issues.

State Senator Chris Trakel, whose children attend the district, informed Board members they were in violation of two Idaho laws and scolded School Board President Marisela Pesina for violating the attendees' First Amendment rights of Free Speech by dictating what people were permitted to say during the comment period. During Senator Trakel's comment period, Ms. Pesina had his microphone muted by abruptly adjourning the meeting. Parents expressed outrage after the meeting was ended denying the multitude from voicing their opinions. Pastors and residents are now organizing to ensure parents' voices are heard at the February 13th, 2023 school board meeting.

The Caldwell School Board is in Canyon County, about 20 miles from Boise's Ada County. A member of the West Ada Education Association (Ada County's Teachers' Union) is in cahoots with the Caldwell School Board – the teachers' union representative sent an email with a call to action that deliberately excludes parents from attending the February 13 meeting by issuing tickets and requesting their employees go early to fill the room to exclude the majority who oppose policy 3281. The individual wrote:

"While we in the West Ada Education Association take no particular stance on any policy being considered by the district…We MUST stand behind the district, its board, employees, and students and their ability to share a variety of perspectives/arguments without fear of being attacked, abused, or intimidated. Any of you that have attempted to speak your truth in the midst of a hostile majority know the silencing power that holds. We are asking anyone and everyone that can to show up to the next Caldwell Board meeting on Monday, February 13th (must be there by 4:30 to get a ticket, then come back at 6:50 to get in) wearing blue. You would not be there to speak, only to ensure the space is civil and safe for dialogue and democratic decision-making."

Community leaders include: Interviews available upon request
• Senior Pastor Bill Sperry, Caldwell Christian Church, Caldwell
• Senior Pastor David Ax, Calvary Chapel Star, Idaho
• Senior Pastor Marty Yost, AWARE Ministry, Mountain Heights Church, Boise
• Pastor Neil Mammen, Values Advocacy Council, Boise

Previous Coverage:
• Fox News National: https://www.foxnews.com/media/idaho-school-board-shuts-down-parents-state-senator-objecting-transgender-locker-rooms
• Idaho Tribune: https://www.idahotribune.org/news/residents-of-caldwell-school-district-speak-out-on-proposed-transgender-policy-changes-its-just-not-right
• Daily Mail United Kingdom: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11629751/Idaho-senator-mic-switched-argues-against-transgender-students-using-girls-room.html

About AWARE
We're on a mission to ignite godly action within Idaho. The Biblical principles our nation was founded on are the only way to protect future generations, should the Lord tarry. Join us as we ignite godly action within Idaho--declaring, guarding, and advancing political and religious freedoms founded in Biblical truth. https://mountainheights.church/aware-ministry

About Values Advocacy Council
The Values Advocacy Council was formed in San Jose, CA to bring the Foundational Principles and the Source of our Inalienable Rights (the Laws of Nature and Nature's God) into local legislation. We do this through the activism and education of Pastors and Christians. The VAC has been expanding across the US and is now in Idaho. www.VAC.org

About Church United
Church United believes God lights the world through people who shine in public. We summon Christian leaders to speak Truth to power. Our vision is to see pastors expand their influence beyond the local church. Church United is a 501c3 nonprofit based in Newport Beach, California with a network of more than 2,500 pastors in the United States. www.churchunited.com

SOURCE Church United

CONTACT: Danielle Vota, 302-310-9912, danielle@churchunited.com