Kane County Reporter

Batavia Township Republican Central Committee Chairman Rose McNaul says she's "outraged but not shocked" by Community Unit School District 300’s alleged secret policies that allow elementary students to change their gender identity without parental knowledge. 

“This is part of a disturbing pattern across Illinois, where school districts, backed by a bloated Department of Education, undermine parental authority. Schools are systematically keeping parents in the dark about their kids’ well-being—whether it’s gender identity issues, mental health interventions, or exposure to inappropriate content," McNaul told the Kane County Reporter. 

"This isn’t just a betrayal of trust; it’s a deliberate power grab to control our children, sidelining the family unit. Parents have a God-given right to know what’s happening with their kids, and any school official concealing that should face public scrutiny and legal accountability. Illinois families deserve transparency, not secrecy, from those we entrust with our children’s education,” she said. 

McNaul’s comments come after a whistleblower recently accused CUSD 300 of permitting three elementary students to transition genders at school without informing their parents. 

The whistleblower also noted one student identifying as a “furry” who reportedly uses self-licking as a calming behavior in class. 

“As a parent in Illinois, I would be outraged by so-called ‘gender support plans’ that let schools secretly guide kids through life-altering decisions like gender identity without parental consent,” she said. 

“These plans aren’t about support—they’re about government control, stripping parents of their God-given rights. The state legislature must act decisively to protect families, especially after the 2025 Mahmoud v. Taylor Supreme Court ruling (6-3), which affirmed parents’ constitutional right to opt kids out of LGBTQ+-focused curricula for religious reasons. Rep. Mary Miller called it a ‘historic win for families,’ and she’s right—parents, not bureaucrats, should decide what’s best for our kids.”

McNaul is promoting an upcoming “Parents’ Rights Meeting” scheduled for Aug. 27 to discuss such issues. 

The event, titled Stolen Innocence Project, aims to raise awareness about school safety, parental rights, and student medical care during school hours. Organizers describe it as a presentation featuring a diverse group of advocates sharing research and personal stories. The meeting will take place from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Greater Grace Community Church located at  991 Deborah Avenue in Elgin.

“Republican leadership at the township and county level must aggressively fight policies that sideline parents in their children’s education,” McNaul said. “In Kane County, where schools like Batavia Public Schools see less than 50% of graduates proficient in reading and math, per Wirepoints data, it’s clear the system is failing kids while bureaucrats hide behind policies that exclude parents.” 

McNaul outlined a four-point plan for Republican leaders to address what she sees as a statewide erosion of parental rights.

First, she said, leaders should publicly expose controversial school policies, such as concealing students’ gender identity changes from parents, through town halls, social media and local media outlets. 

Second, they should organize volunteers to monitor and summarize school board meetings for parents unable to attend. 

Third, she called for local ordinances requiring parental consent and transparency for any school decisions involving a child’s health, identity or education. 

Finally, McNaul urged party leaders to mobilize conservative voters across Illinois through rallies, door-to-door outreach and voter drives. 

She noted that during her own 2025 school board campaign in Batavia, many parents were shocked to learn about district policies, which she says underscores the need for Republicans to transform parental outrage into organized political action.

“Illinois Democrats, however, keep doubling down on overreach,” McNaul said. “In May 2024, they blocked the Parents Matter Coalition’s ‘Right to Parent’ ballot initiative, which sought an advisory question on parents’ rights to be involved in minors’ medical decisions, like gender transitions. Jeanne Ives, co-founder, called it ‘pointed and intentional’ sabotage, and Mary Kate Zander of Illinois Right to Life slammed the Democrats’ ‘brazenly corrupt’ tactics. This isn’t new—they’ve consistently sidelined parents, pushing policies that let schools hide critical information.” 

McNaul also expressed ethical concerns over medical consent forms used by providers in local schools, such as that used by VNA HealthCare in Batavia Public Schools. 

“When schools or medical providers like VNA, through their consent forms, ask parents to waive their rights and prioritize ‘student/provider’ confidentiality over parental involvement, they’re undermining the family unit,” she said. “The VNA Student Registration and Consent Form explicitly states that confidentiality between the student and provider is ensured in areas like reproductive health, with no discussion with parents unless the student agrees. This is outrageous—parents have a fundamental right to know about major life changes or medical decisions involving their minor children, whether it’s gender identity, mental health, or reproductive issues.”

On the broader impact of these policies, McNaul warned they represent a dangerous shift in authority from families to institutions, eroding the foundational role of parents in their children's lives.

“Ethically, this violates trust. Parents, not schools or providers, are responsible for their kids’ well-being,” she said. “Keeping parents in the dark risks harm, especially when kids are too young to fully understand long-term consequences. Legally, these practices may conflict with parental rights protected under the Constitution, as affirmed in the 2025 Mahmoud v. Taylor Supreme Court ruling, which upheld parents’ rights to opt out of certain school content.” 

Community Unit School District 300 Superintendent Dr. Martina Smith and CUSD 300’s school board members did not respond to requests for comment regarding these allegations. 

“The lack of response from schools and officials about policies sidelining parents sends a clear, arrogant message: ‘We do what we want,’” she said. “In Batavia Public Schools, where less than 50% of students are proficient in reading and math, and where VNA HealthCare’s consent forms prioritize student-provider confidentiality over parental rights, this silence shows disdain for families. It tells parents their role is irrelevant, educators they can push personal agendas over academics, and the community that bureaucrats—not families—control our kids.” 

In Illinois, state law requires public schools to teach sexual education, including topics on gender ideology, to children as young as eight years old. Critics argue that such mandates strip families of control and expose young students to age-inappropriate content.

Meanwhile, a 2024 bill introduced by State Rep. Anne Stava-Murray (D-Downers Grove) intensified the debate over gender identity in Illinois schools. 

House Bill 4876 proposed redefining “abused child” to include minors denied gender-affirming care, allowing minors to consent to such care without parental approval, and shielding providers from legal liability, raising further concerns about parental rights. The bill did not pass but its intent is felt amid ongoing controversies like those in Community Unit School District 300. 

McNaul underscored the psychological and developmental dangers she believes children face when schools make gender-related decisions without parental input.

“Young kids, often as young as 5 or 6, lack the cognitive maturity to make life-altering decisions about gender identity,” she said. “A 2023 Cass Review warned that early social transitions can lock children into paths leading to irreversible medical choices, with “low” evidence of long-term benefits. Schools hiding these decisions from parents risk psychological harm, regret, or worse—especially in an era where child exploitation is at an all-time high.” 

She also called on parents to take an active role in holding schools accountable and safeguarding their children’s well-being.

“Parents can make a FOIA request to access information,” McNaul said. “Any records requests should be made via email, document everything. Citizens must VOTE! Every election! Join your local GOP, attend school board meetings, county board meetings, church groups… most importantly - be involved in your child’s life. What teachers are they connecting with, who are their friends, what are they reading, what is their internet search history… it may sound extreme but parents can no longer trust educators and administrators to protect their children.”