They Told Him to "Just Homeschool" his kids amid trans teacher fight

Parents at a North Carolina elementary school are pushing back after being told they may need to homeschool or seek other options if they want their children to avoid a music class taught by a transgender teacher.

The controversy at Middle Creek Elementary School in Wake County began after some parents said they were not given advance notice about the teacher and wanted an alternative for students whose families object on religious or personal grounds.

Parents who addressed the school board this week said some children had returned home feeling “upset, confused and uncomfortable.” Several families claimed their requests for an alternative arrangement were dismissed and urged the district to establish a formal opt-out option.

The issue sparked a heated debate during Tuesday’s Wake County Board of Education meeting, with speakers sharply divided over parental rights and concerns about discrimination based on gender identity.

Critics of the parents argued that allowing exemptions would effectively permit families to keep their children away from people they find objectionable. Supporters, however, maintained that parents should be able to request an alternative without being forced to homeschool, relocate or remove their children from the public-school system.

Aaron Driver, a father of three Middle Creek Elementary students and a member of Middle Creek Parental Rights, told the Wake County school board that parents should not have to choose between their beliefs and access to public education.

“Parents shouldn’t have to pass an ideological test to participate in public education,” Driver said.

He argued that families who object to their children being taught by a transgender teacher are being pushed toward leaving the public-school system altogether.

“Maybe public school isn’t for you or your family. Maybe homeschool. Maybe private school,” Driver said, describing the message he believes critics are sending.

“That’s right. Maybe pay taxes into the school system and then pay again to escape from it,” he added.

The debate took an even sharper turn later in the meeting when public commenter Katrina Day proposed providing free homeschooling curriculum, saying it would “keep the bigots away from my grandchildren.” Day also suggested the district “relocate the children of bigots if needed” or even “expel the children of bigots if needed.”

The comments immediately highlighted the deep divide over the controversy, with parents demanding accommodations while critics accused them of targeting a teacher because of gender identity.

State Rep. Erin Paré, R-N.C., entered the debate in late July after hearing concerns from parents about a transgender teacher at the southern Wake County elementary school. According to WRAL, Paré raised the possibility of legislation requiring public-school employees to follow sex-based professional dress standards.

Parents opposing the current arrangement insist their concerns are about parental rights, transparency and choice, not attacking the teacher personally. At Tuesday’s meeting, one speaker called for “advanced notice and the option to opt out” when classroom instruction conflicts with a family’s religious or personal beliefs.

Another parent urged the board to “provide reasonable alternatives to families who object,” arguing that families should not have to abandon public education simply because they disagree with one classroom arrangement.