NC lawmakers grill Chapel Hill–Carrboro schools
North Carolina House lawmakers held a Dec. 10 oversight hearing where Chapel Hill–Carrboro City Schools defended its compliance with the Parents’ Bill of Rights (SB 49) as Republican members accused the district of openly violating provisions on parental notification and K–4 instruction on gender identity. Rep. Brenden Jones cited School Board Chair George Griffin’s 2024 remarks and a February 2024 email reportedly omitting required sections from district policy, while district leaders George Griffin and Superintendent Rodney Trice submitted written testimony asserting they are in compliance.
📌 Key Facts
- Hearing: NC House Select Committee on Oversight & Reform, Dec. 10, 2025
- Law at issue: Parents’ Bill of Rights (SB 49, Aug. 2023) requiring parental notification of name/pronoun changes and barring K–4 instruction on sexual orientation/gender identity
- District officials (George Griffin, Rodney Trice) testified they are compliant; GOP lawmakers cited a Feb. 2024 email indicating sections were intentionally left out
- Rep. Brenden Jones highlighted LGBTQ-themed books purportedly promoted by the district’s website, including “Santa’s Husband” and “These Are My Eyes… This Is My Vulva…”
📊 Relevant Data
Transgender and nonbinary youth report suicide attempt rates more than four times higher than their cisgender peers.
Approximately 3.3% of U.S. high school students identify as transgender.
Over 3% of U.S. high schoolers identify as transgender, national survey finds — NBC News
At least 121,882 children ages 6 to 17 were diagnosed with gender dysphoria in the United States from 2017 through 2021.
Putting numbers on the rise in children seeking gender care — Reuters
63% of Americans support allowing parents to request that their child leave the classroom during lessons on gender identity.
Most Americans support parental opt-out of school curriculum—until they consider the downsides — Brookings Institution
Marked gender-atypical behavior occurs in around 2-3% of children, most of whom are not transgender.
Transgender children and young people: how the evidence can point the way forward — PMC