Trey Paul, FISM News
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A school district is hoping teachers will leave the sunshine and beaches of Florida and head to the snow and ice of Fargo, North Dakota.
The Fargo Public Schools (FPS) district sent out letters targeting Florida educators in April, specifically looking to recruit those who aren’t happy with some of Governor Ron DeSantis’s policies. That letter has recently garnered growing attention on social media.
Fargo Public Schools is apparently actively recruiting teachers from Florida who are upset with Ron DeSantis Parental Right in Education Bill. pic.twitter.com/IjlWo5CSZq
— Ethan Harsell (@ethan_harsell) August 16, 2022
It appears FPS is attempting to recruit teachers who oppose Florida’s Parental Rights in Education law, which leftists and their megaphones in the legacy media misleadingly dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
“You don’t know us, so we’ll start with this important statement: we are way OK with saying gay, or straight, or LGBTQ+,” the letter, addressed to Florida teachers, begins. “Though we have a long way to go to become a fully inclusive community, we believe it is an injustice to diminish any individual’s gender identity in any way. People should be welcomed to show up as their authentic selves!”
Governor DeSantis signed the parental rights bill back in March, which effectively bans teachers from instructing students about “sexual orientation,” “gender identity,” or any sexual subject matter that is not age-appropriate in kindergarten through third grade.
The bill, summarized by DeSantis’ team here, reinforces the rights of parents to make decisions regarding the upbringing of their children.
“Parents’ rights have been increasingly under assault around the nation, but in Florida, we stand up for the rights of parents and the fundamental role they play in the education of their children,” Gov. Desantis said.
The teacher recruitment letter was written by district Superintendent Dr. Rupak Gandhi, Director of Equity and Inclusion Dr. Tamara Uselman, Fargo City Commissioner John Strand, and Democratic North Dakota state Representative John Boschee.
Dr. Gandhi and Dr. Uselman defended the letter calling it a “necessary” push for inclusion and said it was not meant to “imply that Fargo is a better place for teachers than Florida” but rather “shares our welcoming environment in Fargo to those who are interested in joining our community” in a statement given to Fox News.
“The letter to Florida Educators was drafted by the authors for the reasons outlined in the letter. Inclusion is necessary for Fargo Public Schools to meet its mission to ‘achieve excellence by educating and empowering all students to succeed,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, Gov. DeSantis is working on plans to recruit his own teachers because of a nationwide teacher shortage that’s forcing some school leaders to open schools for only four days a week. Leaders with National Education Associate (NEA) estimate there is a shortage of about 300,000 teachers across America. According to the Florida Education Association, there were more than 8,000 vacancies to start the school year.
That’s why Gov. DeSantis, who is already recruiting military veterans into the classroom, is now offering a proposal that would ensure a $5,000 bonus to retired law enforcement, paramedics, and firefighters.
The letter to Florida teachers ended by stating, “In summary, please know that Fargo Public Schools and public sectors within the Greater Fargo community not only offer a welcome to you but also offer actionable examples of our commitment to becoming an inclusive community that LGBTQ+ people can call home. Reach out if you have any questions or want to learn more.”
Critics of the letter had plenty to say on social media.
Defense of Freedom Institute spokesperson Angela Morabito referenced the letter and a recent report that the Fargo School District Board nixed the Pledge of Allegiance from its meetings.
The same Fargo Public Schools that voted to nix the Pledge of Allegiance from school board meetings – yikes! https://t.co/EImJoYtNb2
— Angela Morabito (@AngelaLMorabito) August 16, 2022
State Congressman Joe Harding (R-Fla.) told Fox News, “If Fargo wants groomers they can have them. No sane person would choose to leave Florida to live in North Dakota.”
Part of the letter to Florida teachers acknowledged that some educators won’t be willing or able to make the move to North Dakota.