Marengo School District Faces Controversy Over Speaker’s Contract

The Marengo-Union Elementary School District 165 is embroiled in a debate concerning the separation of church and state after inviting Kathy Koch, head of the Christian organization Celebrate Kids, to speak to teachers and parents. Koch, an author and public speaker recognized for her work in child development, was scheduled to lead a virtual workshop for parents on September 9, 2023.

Koch’s organization promotes the idea of children embracing their “God-given” gender, which raised significant concerns among parents and board members. The district paid Koch a total of $10,500 to conduct two sessions for teachers in August, with the parent workshop being part of that contract.

Following objections from the community, including over 50 emails directed to Superintendent Lea Damisch, the district postponed the parent workshop pending a school board vote. Many of the emails expressed concerns about Koch’s views on gender identity and the potential implications of integrating religious perspectives into public education.

Board member Suzie Hester highlighted her reservations in an email to Damisch, stating that the district’s invitation to Koch could be perceived as an endorsement of her recent book, “Raising Gender Confident Kids.” Hester emphasized that while individuals are entitled to their beliefs, the district’s association with Koch could convey a problematic message regarding religious endorsement.

Koch’s book is described on her website as a “practical, biblically grounded resource” designed to help parents guide their children in embracing their identities. During the school board meeting, Hester pointed out that alternative speakers exist who could provide similar insights without the religious connotations, suggesting that the district could consider other options.

A contract obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request revealed that the district disbursed $8,500 for Koch’s in-person sessions with teachers, supplemented by a $2,000 travel stipend. Damisch noted that this total is consistent with previous speaker contracts and expressed her commitment to exploring additional workshops for parents.

Following the backlash, Asher McMaher, executive director of the nonprofit Trans Up Front Illinois, submitted a formal notice to Damisch. McMaher argued that hosting Koch contravenes the First Amendment’s stipulation for the separation of church and state, urging the district to revoke the invitation and establish a policy to prevent the promotion of specific religions in schools.

During the board meeting, Damisch reassured attendees that Koch’s presentation would focus on her books “8 Great Smarts” and “Five to Thrive,” emphasizing their secular content. Despite this, some community members remained skeptical, pointing out the frequent references to “God,” “Christ,” and “Jesus” within Koch’s works, which are published by the Christian-oriented Moody Publishers.

Damisch clarified that she consulted the district’s attorney, who affirmed that a speaker with religious affiliations could present at a public school, provided the message remains secular. “I still stand strong that her message was good,” Damisch said, adding that it was never her intention to marginalize any parent or board member.

In response to inquiries, Wayne Stender, operations director for Celebrate Kids, expressed disbelief at the community’s reaction. He noted that Koch had delivered numerous presentations in public schools across Texas without encountering similar objections, maintaining that her speeches do not incorporate faith perspectives.

As the district navigates these discussions, Damisch aims to provide more workshops for parents throughout the year, focusing on inclusion and the impact of social media on children. The conversation regarding Koch’s invitation is set to continue in October, as the school board seeks to address the concerns raised by the community.