Two Ohio mothers, Amy Gonzalez and Andrea Gross, have initiated legal proceedings against Columbus Academy (CA), a private school, alleging a campaign of intimidation and retaliation following their inquiries into the school's financial practices and curriculum. The mothers claim the school reported them to both the local police and the FBI, accusing them of committing felonies, after they raised concerns about what they perceive as a left-leaning ideology embedded within the school's teachings and spending.
Gonzalez and Gross assert that the school attempted to instill fear among staff members regarding their activism. They believe this reaction was disproportionate to the nature of their questions, which focused on financial transparency and the inclusion of critical race theory (CRT) in the curriculum. The mothers' children were subsequently denied re-enrollment to the school in 2021, forcing them to seek alternative educational arrangements, a move that reportedly caused significant distress to their children.
People hold up signs during a rally against "critical race theory" (CRT) being taught in schools. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
Gonzalez expressed her concern over the school's alleged treatment of the children, stating that they were "treated like trash, like they're disposable," emphasizing the emotional impact of being uprooted from their school. The mothers spearhead the Pro-CA Coalition, a group claiming to represent hundreds of parents who share similar concerns about the school's direction. Fox News has obtained copies of the school's letters informing Gross and Gonzalez of their children's denied re-enrollment.
While the school administration maintains that the mothers' actions violated the agreed-upon terms of the enrollment agreement, hindering a "positive and constructive working relationship," the mothers contend that their activism stems from a desire to uphold parental rights and ensure academic excellence. Gross specifically questioned the allocation of resources, pointing to the expansion of the Diversity Department while her daughter, who has a learning disability, lacked access to a learning specialist. She also raised concerns about the introduction of gender-based curriculum without parental consent, alongside material related to race and what she perceives as anti-conservative sentiments.
Parents and community members attend a Loudoun County School Board meeting about critical race theory in Ashburn, Virginia, on June 22, 2021. (REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein)
Gonzalez and Gross maintain their objective was to collaborate with the school to address their concerns, believing their inquiries would be welcomed. However, they claim their efforts were met with hostility, including the involvement of the FBI. The school has denied reporting the mothers to the FBI, characterizing their actions as a "national media campaign" and dismissing their claims as lacking legal merit. They assert their commitment to "independence and excellence" in education.
This ongoing dispute highlights the tensions surrounding parental rights in education, curriculum content, and school financial transparency.
