Letter to the Editor: Optics vs. Reality at School.

Mrs. Pippin's full comments before the School Board on February 26 were taken from this writing. Some points written here were not mentioned due to time constraints.

Mrs. Pippin is the only chairman of the first chapter of Moms for Liberty founded in Indian River County, FL.. In three years, the organization has gained over 300 chapters in 49 states. In 2023, Moms for Liberty awarded her the Abigail Adams Award for Policy. Her and her husband have two children in public high school.

Let’s discuss “optics” versus actual problems …

800 children left public schools in the past year. That is 5% of children and families in public schools  according to the figures presented at the superintendent workshop on February 12. How many more students in 2020 and 2021 left the School District of Indian River County (SDIRC) because of the failed Covid protocols? How many students in 2022? Dr. Moore is trying to innovate because, as he said at the business meeting Monday night, “SDIRC is a shrinking school system.”

When someone tried to file for unemployment under my medical licenses in 2020, I had to legally hide my medical documents from the public for five years under a ruling in a fraud case. The reason for the attempted unemployment fraud? I was opposing mandatory medical mandates. 

That’s an actual problem, not an optics problem. I fixed this problem by hiring an attorney who won me a victory before the judge. 

In 2020 and 2021, my daughter was unnecessarily quarantined multiple times. A freshman in high school at the time, she was never sick and COVID negative. I met with the principal, advocated at school board meetings, sent emails and texts, and even made phone calls. All efforts fell on deaf ears. 

That’s an actual problem not an optics problem. Moms for Liberty members and I fixed this problem with advocacy resulting in legislation. 

My daughter and son were made to wear a masks against my parental rights. Again, it fell on deaf ears with all who were in charge at the schools. When my son was written up for not wearing a mask outside in 92 degree weather in 2021, I, as his parent, had to fight to get the referral expunged. I told him not to ever wear a mask outside. It was not his fault. 

That’s an actual problem not an optics problem. Moms for Liberty and I fixed this problem with advocacy resulting in legislation. 

In 2021, my very own children could have been randomly chosen without my consent to fill out a survey from the Florida Department of Health to whom the school administration admitted they gave access. The survey asked if the kids are having sex, using drugs or alcohol before having sex, if multiple partners are involved, and if they are having unprotected sex without parental knowledge. Again, the school system gave the Florida Department of Health permission to randomly survey school children without parental approval. 

That’s an actual problem, not an optics problem. Moms for Liberty and I fixed this problem with advocacy resulting in legislation. 

In 2022, when my children were in SDIRC schools, an LGBTQ Administration Guide was given to the superintendent and administrative staff by Equality Florida and former school board member, Mara Schiff. The guide allowed boys in the restroom with my minor daughter, and, gave permission for my minor son to go into the girls locker room. 

That’s an actual problem and not an optics problem.  Moms for Liberty and I fixed this problem at the local level and then with advocacy resulting in legislation. 

In 2022, when my son was messaged on SnapChat that if he didn’t fight a certain bully when he changed schools, he would be jumped by a gang of 4 to 6 more boys. That day came. He was shuffled into a bathroom by a group of boys and told to fight. He left his SDIRC school with a mild concussion, swollen cheek, bleeding lip and was having blurred vision. He had informed the assistant principal earlier in the week that this bully was threatening him, but nothing was done to prevent the attack. 

That’s an actual problem, not an optics problem. 

Some adults at the business meetings are still sharing the video of these minor children, but blame my son and call him the bully. It is ignorant opposition against me and the joyful warriors I am honored to represent. 

Therefore, Moms for Liberty and I joined the code of conduct committee and fixed this disiplinary issue in 2023. Our members are serving on the committee again in 2024. No more phones allowed in schools. The video recording of fights is prohibited and has disciplinary consequences. Even this board NOW acknowledges the behavior is much better in schools thanks to the advocating effort that produced change in conduct policy. 

In 2023 right before Christmas, the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) was called on my husband and I  for “child abuse” by someone who opposed Moms for Liberty advocacy in schools. We were swiftly cleared of the charges and the case is closed. The both of us found out who it was and we had to file a cease and desist order against them which is now in effect. 

That’s an actual problem and not an optics problem.  

When my innocent children and 15,000 other minor-aged students had pornographic and sexually explicit books on library shelves readily available to them, it took almost three years to have them permanently removed. It should have taken a week. 

That’s an actual problem, not an optics problem. With moral clarity, Moms for Liberty and I fixed this problem with advocacy resulting in legislation.

We are told by the SDIRC administration that we cannot donate pocket constitutions. A resigned school board member once said on the dais, “they are too political, let’s get back to education.” SDIRC is one of two districts in the state of Florida that was denied permission to give them to 8th grade children free of charge as a reference. 

That’s an actual problem, not an optics problem.

In 2022, members, Brian Barefoot and Teri Barenborg, campaigned against Jackie Rosario, a fellow board member. She received the endorsements of Moms for Liberty and Governor DeSantis. The failed attempt, of two sitting board members openly campaigning against her, sewed noticeable division on the dais. 

That’s an actual problem and not an optics problem. Campaigning against a fellow board member violates decorum and ethics policy. 

When Moms for Liberty Indian River, FL wins two out of three school board seats in 2022, and are projected to do even better in 2024, it’s not an optics problem. It is the majority of the community on the ground and advocating. These common sense parents vote just like the 800 kids whose parents pulled them from public schools over actual issues.