The Georgia teacher fired after reading a book about gender fluidity to her fifth-grade class has had that decision reaffirmed by the Cobb County school board after a tribunal recommended overturning the firing.
The Cobb County School Board voted 4-3 to uphold Cobb Superintendent Chris Ragsdale’s decision to dismiss Katie Rinderle, despite a panel of retired educators suggesting she should not be fired.
Rinderle, who had been a teacher for a decade, read the book “My Shadow Is Purple” by Scott Stuart, leading to parental complaints.
Her lawyer, Craig Goodman, said the case raises questions about what teachers can teach in public schools and parental influence on curriculum.
He joined “All Things Considered” to talk about why he sees the board’s decision as politics overshadowing policy.
