**Sen. Bernie Moreno Challenges Ohio School Board Over Defiance of Gender Laws**
Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) is pushing back against an Ohio school board member who openly dismissed laws designed to prevent radical transgender ideology in schools.
Lauren Marchaza, a board member of Mentor Public Schools, stated during a February 11 meeting that she did not believe adherence to these laws was necessary. A video of her remarks, shared by the popular @libsoftiktok account, has already amassed over 400,000 views.
Marchaza’s comments come in the wake of an executive order signed by President Trump on January 29, titled **“Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling.”** The order threatens to withdraw federal funding from schools that engage in gender ideology-based indoctrination or discriminatory practices. Additionally, a new Ohio law enacted in January restricts educators from introducing **sexuality-related content** without parental consent.
During the board meeting, Marchaza downplayed the impact of Trump’s executive order, claiming that federal laws limit the government’s ability to interfere in local education decisions. She suggested that schools have flexibility in interpreting what is legal, implying that the district could avoid compliance.
Sen. Moreno strongly rebuked Marchaza’s stance, arguing that her statements could be seen as an attempt to justify the board’s refusal to comply with federal mandates. In a letter to school board president Maggie Cook, Moreno asserted that Marchaza was not qualified to make legal determinations and accused the board of potentially undermining **the President’s constitutional authority** to protect parental rights.
Moreno demanded an official response from the board within five days, asking:
- Will Mentor Public Schools enforce President Trump’s executive order on **“Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling”**?
- Will the district fully comply with the legal provisions outlined in Trump’s order?
- Why did a non-attorney board member provide legal interpretations instead of the board’s legal counsel?
- Is the board aware that **Lake County receives over $1 billion in state and federal funding**?
Moreno’s firm stance underscores the growing political battle over education policy, with Trump’s administration and its allies seeking to curb **radical gender and racial ideologies** in schools nationwide.