The Ankeny School District maintains the drag performance that took place after school on Monday was not authorized and did not follow proper protocol. In a brief statement, the district said it was an unauthorized event not once, not twice, but three times.
So they seem to really want us to know that it didn’t happen with the district’s approval. But they also didn’t say the district didn’t approve. They simply said there would be an investigation.
Based on photos at the event, it sure looks as though some staff was in attendance. And based on the fact photos were taken in a classroom, it sure looks as though teachers gave it the stamp of approval.
It would be interesting to know how music could be blaring in the school auditorium and building administration not know about it. It would also be interesting how individuals dressed in drag could walk from the auditorium and to the classroom or vice versa and nobody sees that in the building and wonders what is happening.
But I suppose we’ll give the district the benefit of the doubt.
Regardless, a few questions remain:
- Did every student who attended have written permission from their parent to attend?
- Does the district believe it was an appropriate event for school facility use?
- Which members of Ankeny District staff were at the event?
- What ramifications are there for not following policy?
- Considering inflation, how could someone afford to give a drag queen a dollar bill?
OK, so question five isn’t really a legitimate question.
It has now become national news. First reported on The Iowa Standard after parents from central Iowa circulated the information, Ben Shapiro has shared an article about it, Charlie Kirk has picked it up and The Blaze wrote about it.
A teacher called Mollie Blahunka is listed as the Gay-Straight Alliance group’s sponsor on Ankeny High School’s website. It also appears she attended the event.
It appears a staff member from another school in the district attended as well, a choir director called Jill Bjorklund. So, somehow, she found out about the event but the district had no idea it happened.
Those employees who were in attendance and did not follow protocol should be held accountable, as should the group.
It will be interesting to see what conclusion the district comes to in this matter.
***Photo taken from a public Facebook post***
A better question is… “why does it matter?”.
Please… enlighten me.
Having events that are unauthorized at the school is a big deal. just think of the worst group you can imagine holding a event there without authorization. how would you feel about that ?