Teacher, administrator resign amid gay fairy tale flap
The third-grade teacher whose reading of a gay fairy tale to his class in April spawned a parent protest has resigned, Orange County Schools officials said Tuesday.
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The school district accepted the resignation of Efland-Cheeks Elementary School teacher Omar Currie. Vice Principal Meg Goodhand, who Currie said gave him the book to handle a case of bullying in his class, also resigned, officials said.
Orange County Schools officials say they had no reports of bullying in Currie’s class.
Three parents complained after Currie read "King & King" to his third-graders. They said the book was inappropriate for children that age, and at least one said parents should have been notified in advance.
The children's book is about a homosexual man's quest for love and includes a picture at the end of two princes kissing.
Efland-Cheeks Elementary officials upheld the book in April after the initial complaint, and then again ruled last month that the book was appropriate after fielding questions from angry parents during a community meeting.
The parents recently appealed the matter to Orange County Schools officials, where a district committee is evaluating the book in light of curriculum goals, and a public meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday at Gravelly Hill Middle School, 4801 W. Ten Road in Efland, before the superintendent issues findings.
The matter could still be appealed to the Orange County Board of Education after the superintendent makes a decision.
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