Virginia Board of Education Nominee Defeated for Supporting Traditional American Values
Suparna Dutta, a mom who immigrated to this country from India, was nominated and appointed by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin in July 2022 to fill a vacancy on the Commonwealth’s Board of Education, which sets education policy in Virginia. Her nomination was up for a confirmation vote in the Virginia Senate on February 7 along with the governor’s other appointees.
In a shocking result, Senate Democrats, who outnumber Republicans in that chamber 22-18, defeated her nomination in a straight party-line vote.
Why? It seems the outspokenly patriotic Dutta, who has been serving on the Board of Education since last July while awaiting her confirmation, outraged liberals in her state by denouncing socialism, applauding the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution, and advocating for Virginia public school curriculums that are based on “traditional American values.”
At a recent Board session, Dutta spoke in favor of proposed changes to history and social science standards in Virginia by highlighting two foundational principles: (1) the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are remarkable documents; and (2) socialism and communism are incompatible with democracy and individual freedoms.
Other members of the board challenged Dutta. Anne Holton, who is married to U.S. Congressman Tim Kaine, D-Va., said she was “uncomfortable” with that language.
“You cannot reference the Declaration of Independence and Constitution as remarkable documents without also acknowledging that they contain fundamental flaws of enshrining slavery and limiting the protections that they provided for only to white, propertied men,” Holton said.
Of course, Dutta never argued that American history should be sanitized of its imperfections, which are specifically included in the proposed new standards for which she was advocating.
Nevertheless, Dutta was targeted by a left-wing Virginia group called VirginiaGrassroots, which urged liberal state senators to vote against Dutta’s confirmation because she is allegedly “divisive” and “disruptive.”
The tactic worked.
Following the vote, Governor Youngkin criticized the senate’s action, saying, “She is not only qualified, she epitomizes parental involvement in our schools and we need her voice on our Board of Education.”
Virginia, of course, has seen an increase in parental involvement at the local level over the last few years in response to controversial local school board policies on sex, gender identity, critical race theory, pornographic reading materials and others.
In fact, the rise of the “Momma Bear Movement” of concerned parents in Virginia (and elsewhere) prompted by out-of-control school boards in Loudoun and Fairfax counties likely led to Youngkin’s successful come-from-behind election as governor in 2021.
It is apparent from Ms. Dutta’s defeated nomination that parents still have some work to do in Virginia to reclaim control over their children’s education. Perhaps this setback in the Old Dominion will provide the motivation necessary for the parental rights movement in Virginia and elsewhere to push ahead with renewed motivation.
Our children are worth it.
Related:
Concerned Parents Say Education Will Be an Important Issue in This Year’s Election
New Virginia Rule Requires Parental Consent for Schools to Treat Students as ‘Trans’
Virginia Governor Speaks Against School District ‘Transitioning’ Students Without Parental Consent
Teachers are Invaluable, But They Aren’t Our Children’s Parents
Fairfax County Puts Obscene Books Back in School Libraries
Surprise Youngkin Victory in Virginia Proves Parents Matter
Leading Family Trends That Should Concern Everyone / Part 2
Senator James Lankford Talks to Focus on the Family About Parental Rights, CRT and School Choice
Parents File Lawsuit Against Loudoun County School Board for Violating Open Meeting Laws
Education Issues Cause Major Concerns as Voters Go to Polls Today
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bruce Hausknecht, J.D., is an attorney who serves as Focus on the Family’s judicial analyst. He is responsible for research and analysis of legal and judicial issues related to Christians and the institution of the family, including First Amendment freedom of religion and free speech issues, judicial activism, marriage, homosexuality and pro-life matters. He also tracks legislation and laws affecting these issues. Prior to joining Focus in 2004, Hausknecht practiced law for 17 years in construction litigation and as an associate general counsel for a large ministry in Virginia. He was also an associate pastor at a church in Colorado Springs for seven years, primarily in worship music ministry. Hausknecht has provided legal analysis and commentary for top media outlets including CNN, ABC News, NBC News, CBS Radio, The New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, The Washington Times, the Associated Press, the Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Boston Globe and BBC radio. He’s also a regular contributor to The Daily Citizen. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Illinois and his J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law. Hausknecht has been married since 1981 and has three adult children, as well as three adorable grandkids. In his free time, Hausknecht loves getting creative with his camera and capturing stunning photographs of his adopted state of Colorado.
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