The House Committee on Education and the Workforce is investigating Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Superintendent and CEO Macquline King regarding concerns that CPS is hiding information about students' gender transitions from their parents.

In a letter obtained by Fox News Digital, Committee Chair Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) addressed King following her testimony at a June 10 hearing titled "Breaking Trust: Attacks on Parental Rights, Inappropriate Content, and Legal Abuses in America’s Schools."

At the hearing, Rep. Mary Miller (R-Ill.) questioned King about CPS reportedly "socially transitioning children without parental knowledge or consent." King responded, "[w]e do not hide information from parents." However, Walberg noted that several CPS policies and resources suggest otherwise.

Walberg cited CPS interim guidelines and a "Gender Diversity Toolkit" that prohibit staff from disclosing a student's "transgender status or gender-nonconforming presentation" without the student's permission, explicitly stating that parental consent is not required.

The Michigan congressman expressed concern that the vague language in these guidelines could prevent faculty from communicating with parents about students' gender identity, potentially conflicting with the Supreme Court's ruling in Mirabelli v. Bonta. This ruling found that parents were likely to succeed in claims that a California law barring schools from disclosing a child's gender identity to parents violated their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights. The case remains under litigation at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Additionally, Rep. Bob Onder (R-Mo.) asked King at the hearing whether CPS had updated its policies to comply with the Mirabelli decision. King did not provide a clear answer.

The investigation reflects broader concerns about parental rights and transparency in schools regarding gender identity issues.

Sources