There’s a lot of talk about protecting children these days. I believe most of it is sincere, which means there are solutions to be found. I was heartened to see unanimous support for Senate Bill 205 in the Senate Education Committee on Friday, February 9th, which will ensure children are taught, in age appropriate ways in school, to recognize signs of child sexual abuse so they are empowered to speak up for themselves. This is good!
Then, we devolved right back into culture war arguments about “sensitive materials” in schools when Rep Ken Ivory presented House Bill 29.
I commented on book banning, then left for the emergency Granite School Board meeting discussing a resolution condemning State Board Member Cline’s recent cyberbullying of a student-athlete. I sat by a lovely retired teacher named Mary and quickly found out she was there to support Natalie Cline, but did not know what Cline had done or why she was being condemned. So, I briefly shared Cline’s original post and the follow up apology. Mary responded that transgenderism was wrong, but agreed that going after a female student for her appearance was going too far.
The school board made it clear they were there to conduct business and would not tolerate disruptions. President Nicole McDermott presented the resolution, accepted a motion to pass it and allowed discussion per parliamentary procedure. Board member Kim Chandler read a prepared statement defending Cline’s right to due process and then, in a 6-1 vote, the Board passed the resolution condemning Cline’s actions and calling on school boards across the state to join in demanding her resignation. The Board then moved to adjourn and the meeting ended.
The crowd immediately erupted in applause for a loud and long standing ovation. My new friend Mary stayed seated. As we collected our things to leave – she wanted to find Kim – Mary leaned over with a quick hug and reminded me what Christ had said about the woman caught in adultery – let him without sin cast the first stone.
I’ve been thinking about this. Is Cline more appropriately compared with the woman caught in sin who was brought to Christ for judgment, or the crowd intent on stoning her?
Natalie Cline is consistent – I’ll give her credit for that. She routinely cites scripture and prophetic counsel from our shared faith. Doubtless she is a sincere believer. Yet as an elected member of the Utah State Board of Education, Cline encourages a vigilante culture of reporting concerns directly to her, bypassing the normal process of handling issues at the lowest level possible. Armed with these reports, rather than looking into matters privately, she has routinely attacked seminaries, schools, and teachers over social media, alerting a small army of devoted followers to perceived harms of Utah students. They respond to her calls to action with serious threats of violence necessitating additional security. Cline routinely makes herself judge and jury, and the rage and fury her social media posts generate lead to calls for requisite execution – the firing (or worse) of professional educators without any consideration of due process for them. Not a moment to determine context or the humility to consider whether a report might be wrong.
Cline isn’t just throwing stones herself, she urges the crowd to hurl them at whoever might be the target of the day. Directing the rage of her supporters at a high school student-athlete crossed the final line.
I applaud the Granite School Board’s condemnation of this board member’s actions and hope other school boards across the state will rise to the occasion in solidarity with all who care for children. I also applaud the Utah House of Representatives for their resolution to consider appropriate action related to Cline’s behavior, which led to the first-ever censure of a sitting office-holder. I remain disappointed they did not have the courage to follow through on a formal impeachment.
It’s time she is held accountable for her actions. If the Legislature won’t do their constitutional duty, then it is left to us to remove her from office in the upcoming election cycle. As Dr. Seuss said clearly in The Lorax, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
It’s on all of us to give extreme partisans and culture warriors the pink slip this year. Cline isn’t the only one. Participate in your local caucus night. Become a party delegate. Donate to and join a campaign team as a volunteer. Research candidates and get involved!
Deborah Gatrell is a 25-year military veteran, a Social Studies teacher, and candidate for USBE District 10. Her opinions are her own.
