Wake County School District Responds to Flash Card Showing Pregnant Man Used in Classroom
In late May 2022, Ballentine Elementary School in Fuquay-Varina, part of the Wake County Public School System, became the center of a controversy when a set of LGBTQ-themed flashcards—including one depicting a “pregnant man”—was used during a preschool lesson to teach colors (ABC11 Raleigh-Durham, Wikipedia).
State Representative Erin Paré (R-Wake) received a concerned parent’s email, prompting her to contact the school’s principal. The principal confirmed that the flashcards had indeed been used, though she was unaware of it and emphasized that the materials were not part of the approved Pre-K curriculum (ABC11 Raleigh-Durham, Parent Herald). In response, school officials removed the cards immediately, and a review was initiated to assess the matter (The Post Millennial, Wikipedia).
The Wake County School District released a statement expressing its concern: an initial investigation determined the flashcards “did not complement, enrich, or extend the curriculum,” and had been used without the principal’s knowledge or approval (Wikipedia, thenationaldesk.com). Subsequently, the teacher involved resigned from her position (ABC11 Raleigh-Durham, thenationaldesk.com).
Rep. Paré praised the swift and professional handling of the situation, underscoring that schools should use only age-appropriate materials—especially for preschool students—and commended Ballentine Elementary for responding promptly (ABC11 Raleigh-Durham, The Post Millennial).
This incident also intersected with broader legislative activity. Around the same time, North Carolina lawmakers were advancing House Bill 755, known as the “Parents’ Bill of Rights,” which sought to restrict LGBTQ+ content in K–3 classrooms and give parents greater control over classroom materials (The Post Millennial, Parent Herald).
In sum, while the flashcard episode sparked concern, the school district’s rapid response and the principal’s oversight helped mitigate the situation. It also reignited discussions on curriculum oversight and parental rights in education.
