(Tampa Free Press)—The Liberty Justice Center (LJC) is stepping up to defend a California school district’s embattled parental notification policy, signaling a new front in the battle over parents’ rights in education.
On March 5, the Rocklin Unified School District Board voted 4-1 to enlist LJC’s pro bono legal muscle to appeal a ruling by the state’s Public Employees Relations Board (PERB) that struck down the district’s rules requiring schools to inform parents when their children seek to identify as a different gender.
The policy, adopted on September 6, 2023, mandates notification if a student requests to be recognized as a gender other than their biological sex, use a different name or pronouns, or access sex-segregated facilities not matching their birth gender.
The Rocklin Teachers Professional Association (RTPA) union challenged the change, arguing it overstepped the district’s authority. PERB’s Office of General Counsel sided with the union in October 2023, and after a judge and the PERB Board upheld the complaint—ordering the policy rescinded on January 28—the district appealed to California’s Third District Court of Appeals on February 27.
Now, with LJC on board, the fight intensifies. “We are proud to once again take a stand for California families by defending the Rocklin Unified School District’s parental notification policy, at no cost to the District or to taxpayers,” said Emily Rae, LJC Senior Counsel.
The nonprofit, known for its 2018 Supreme Court win in Janus v. AFSCME, frames the case as a defense against government overreach and a win for parental clarity.
The Rocklin Board stood firm, stating, “We remain committed to ensuring clarity and fairness in our policies. Our goal is to balance our legal obligations with our responsibility to students and families.” The district’s policy, they argue, empowers parents amid a national debate over gender identity in schools, pitting transparency against privacy concerns raised by unions and progressive groups.
The appeal, filed as Rocklin Unified School District v. Public Employee Relations Board, hinges on whether PERB overreached in nixing a local rule. LJC’s track record—including a recent California parents’ rights victory—adds weight to Rocklin’s defiance. As the case heads to court, it’s poised to test the limits of school authority and parental involvement in an already polarized education landscape.