Utah State Education Board Member Criticized for Social Media Post About Student

Dive Brief:

• To safeguard a high school athlete in Utah, a school district implemented protective measures after a state board of education member, Natalie Cline, wrongly suggested, via a social media post in early February, that the athlete was transgender. Cline’s post triggered harassment of the athlete by community members.

• As a result of an investigation into Cline’s actions, the board decided to strip her of most of her authorities, including her removal from committee assignments, restriction from raising topics on board agendas, and ban from attending board advisory committee meetings. The board asked for Cline’s resignation by Feb. 19, which she declined.

• Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson expressed shock at Cline’s and others’ actions in a statement issued on Feb. 7.

Dive Insight:

Cline’s actions coincide with a surge in parental activism<