Glenn Youngkin.Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
“It’s Day One, and we are going to work just like we promised,” Youngkin, 55, said in a statement. “The important steps we are taking today begins the work of restoring excellence in education, making our communities safer, opening Virginia for business and reinvigorating job growth, and making government work for the people, and not the other way around.”
Youngkin’sfirst orderprohibits “the use of inherently divisive concepts, including Critical Race Theory,” a set of academic concepts that consider how the U.S.' legacy of slavery, racial inequality and the law are connected.
Youngkin, a former private equity executive who has never held political office, ran on apromise to ban the theory, even though Virginia educators have said its concepts arenot taught in public schoolsand would be inappropriate for young students.
During his inauguration speech, Youngkin got the most applause when he addressed “removing politics from the classroom,“NPR reports.
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Critics of the order worry it could limit what teachers are able to discuss in their classrooms while discussing subjects like history which would include topics like slavery, the Civil War and the civil rights movement.
Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras appeared to reject the order. “The Commonwealth was literally created on the backs of enslaved Africans,” hewrote on Twitter Sunday. “We will continue to study that and be honest about its profound implications for our students and families today.”
Several school districts issued statements to say their mask mandates remain in effect.
“Arlington Public Schools will continue to require all staff and students to wear masks inside on school grounds and on buses, as part of our layered approach to safety,“that district saidSaturday. “Universal mask use has proven effective in keeping COVID-19 transmission rates low in our schools and ensuring schools remain safe and open.”
Fairfax County Public Schoolssaid it is reviewing the governor’s executive order but will “continue universal masking for all students and staff.”
Youngkin repliedto the news that districts plan to ignore his order, which goes into effect Jan. 24. “I hope they will listen to parents,” he said, “because we will use every resource within the governor’s authority to explore what we can do and what we will do in order to make sure that parents' rights are protected.”
Also in his speech, Youngkin made a promise to represent all Virginians. “No matter who you voted for,” he said, “I pledge to be your advocate, your voice, your governor.”
source: people.com
