The Mt. Lebanon School District has agreed to pay $350,000 in legal fees to settle a lawsuit brought by three mothers who claimed that a teacher’s lesson on the concepts of gender dysphoria and transgender transitioning to their first-grade children violated their constitutional rights. The settlement concludes a legal battle that has drawn significant attention to the intersection of education and the right for parents to know what happens in the classroom.
In September, Senior U.S. District Judge Joy Flowers Conti ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, who alleged that the teacher, Megan Williams, overstepped her boundaries during a lesson on Transgender Awareness Day in March 2022. Williams read two children’s books, “When Aiden Became a Brother” and “Introducing Teddy,” to her first-grade class, sparking concerns among the parents.
Despite the district sending opt-out letters to parents for events such as an assembly involving a therapy dog, different movies and conversations around religious holidays, it was not communicated that the books would be read during class, the judge’s opinion says.
The lawsuit highlighted a particular incident in which a student had questions about gender after the lesson, prompting Williams to encourage the child to discuss his feelings with his parents. The ruling determined that Williams’ actions infringed on the parents’ rights to due process, equal protection, and free exercise of religion.
As part of the settlement, both the plaintiffs and the school district agreed not to appeal the court’s decision, which awarded the mothers $15 in damages. The legal fees are to be paid within 30 days of the final judgment being signed.
Brandi Smith, a spokesperson for the Mt. Lebanon School District, stated that the settlement will be covered by the district’s insurance. She also noted that the district plans to revise its policies concerning non-curricular materials and parent notifications, emphasizing the importance of balancing educational content with parental rights.
“The Mt. Lebanon School District is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and welcoming school environment that recognizes and celebrates the diverse identities of all members of our school community,” Smith said. “The school district also respects the individual rights of our families and students.”
Mt. Lebanon now has to pay $350,000 in legal fees to three families.
Explain to me again why 1st Grade teacher Megan Williams shouldn’t be immediately terminated? She taught transgender lessons to 7 year old kids because she felt like it. https://t.co/C13FP0BAC5— Colin Dunlap (@colin_dunlap) October 30, 2024
