Citizens again confronted board members of a North Texas school district over their controversial “Cultural Competence Action Plan” that would advance leftism in the school, this time calling out the district for seeking a grant meant for abuse victims to help fund the plan.
Carroll Independent School District has been under a cloud of controversy since late July, when citizens learned the board was set to approve a controversial “Cultural Competence Action Plan” (CCAP) that would create a system to track and record students who commit “microaggressions” and establish an LGBTQ+ student focus group (for grades 9-12), among other leftist ideas.
A parent is now suing the district for allegedly violating the Texas Open Meetings Act, and Southlake Mayor Laura Hill has taken citizens’ side against the district.
Outraged citizens have begun conducting their own investigation into CCAP and the school district by sending open records requests under Texas’ Public Information Act. The district responded by charging high prices to two citizens seeking information.
At last week’s board meeting, citizens confronted the school board with their findings.
“From an open records request recently, we became aware the district’s application for a state grant to CCAP in the Equity and Inclusion Office was denied at the end of August,” one citizen told board members. “What is astonishing is that CISD applied for this grant at all.”
“The grant is titled VOCA,” he continued. “VOCA stands for Victims Of Crimes Act. This fund is intended for victims of physical and sexual abuse, and victims of human trafficking.”
Texas Scorecard received a copy of the email from Gov. Greg Abbott’s office to Carroll ISD, informing them their application for the grant was denied.
Information about the grant can be found at the U.S. Department of Justice website.
“How could CISD even consider taking funds from suffering victims to fund a CCAP agenda?” JoLynn Potenza asked.
A number of citizens posed other questions to the board:
Why would CISD apply for a public grant meant to help real crime victims?
Why would we want to take money away from children who have been abused and trafficked?
Who from CISD reviewed this application?
Was the board aware of this grant application?
Who on the board reviewed this?
[Board President] Michelle [Moore], did you ask to see this grant application?”
“We cannot address those questions because that item is not on the agenda,” Board President Michelle Moore replied.
Another citizen posed the following questions:
Would you describe CISD as a campus-based victims services agency?
Would you describe CISD as a victims specialist or human trafficking rescue organization?
Would you say that it’s CISD’s core function to produce victims of physical or sexual abuse?
Would you say that it’s CISD’s core function to seek out and initiate the prosecution of alleged offenders of physical or sexual abuse?
If not, why would you apply for a grant that’s meant for those purposes?
Other citizens had questions about how the district was managing taxpayer money already in their possession.
“[Assistant Superintendent] Dr. Janet McDade signed a contract to pay Dr. [Adolph] Brown $15,000 of taxpayer money to teach a 90-minute class for topics related to the CCAP,” Amy Limmerman said, adding that a “brief investigation found Carroll ISD had paid” him at least eight times.
“It came as no surprise that Dr. McDade actually works for Dr. Brown outside of Carroll ISD,” she continued, going on to tell the board she has documentation from earlier this year showing another school paid $9,500 for the same 90-minute class.
McDade’s spouse also came up that night, as CCAP apparently has a taxpayer-funded position for him.
“You already hired Ms. McDade’s husband into a strategic position to indoctrinate the CISD students,” citizen Mattie Shirley told the board. “I call on you to resign immediately to minimize the cost of your actions to the students and all CISD taxpayers.”
Texas Scorecard resubmitted many of these citizens’ questions and concerns as press inquiries to the entire board. No response was received before publication time.
This story may develop as citizens band together to hold Carroll ISD’s board of trustees accountable.
Concerned citizens may contact Carroll ISD board trustees:
Michelle Moore: michelle.moore@southlakecarroll.edu
Todd Carlton: todd.carlton@southlakecarroll.edu
David Almand: david.almand@southlakecarroll.edu
Danny Gilpin: danny.gilpin@southlakecarroll.edu
Eric Lannen: eric.lannen@southlakecarroll.edu
Sheri Mills: sheri.mills@southlakecarroll.edu
Matt Bryant: matt.bryant@southlakecarroll.edu
