The principal of a Florida charter school was forced to resign from her position Friday after three parents complained their children were being exposed to sexual images. One of the parents, who spoke of “pornography”, was referring to one of the most famous works in the history of art: Michelangelo’s “David”.
The sculpture, which depicts the nude biblical figure, is part of a sixth grade class art lesson. Usually, a letter is sent to parents before class warning them about its content, but Hope Carrasquilla, the former principal of the school, said that a “series of communication errors” meant that the letter did not arrive on time to The parents.
Only three parents complained about the content, including one who called the Italian Renaissance masterpiece “pornographic.” The school board decided to give the principal the option to resign or be fired after less than a year in office. Carrasquilla is the third director the school has had since it opened in 2020.
Other parents and members of the school have let her know that they were distraught that she was forced out of her position. But Barney Bishop, who serves as head of the school’s board, asserted that “parental rights are paramount.”
Parental complaints to schools have become a mainstay in Florida thanks to a law signed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis last year that allows parents and guardians to file complaints or even lawsuits against schools over curricula with those who disagree. Charter schools are generally exempt from the provisions of that law, but the Tallahassee Classical School is known to have far-right connections..
It is one of many schools across the country affiliated with Hillsdale College, a far-right Christian school system that has vowed to fight what it calls “left-wing” and “distorted” teachings of American history. The institution opposes teachings of history that focus on marginalized groups, including the 1619 Project, which explores the history of slavery, racism, and the oppression of African-Americans in the United States.
In fact, Hillsdale College helped formulate the report 1776 (date of independence) of former President Donald Trump. Many historians have condemned it for its nationalist themes and for covering up mistakes that have taken place in the country’s history.
“It doesn’t take long to read this report as the latest big lie from a Trump administration of big lies,” wrote African-American historian Ibram X. Kendi on the report when it was published in early 2021.
Hillsdale College has connections to other far-right figures, including several members of the Trump administration, such as former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos and former Vice President Mike Pence, who have all given commencement addresses at the college.
Ginni Thomasa conservative activist who sought to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, and who is married to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, worked for Hillsdale as associate director of the university’s Washington, DC operations for two years.
