The chairman of the Arlington County Republican Committee is planning to put the Arlington school system and its leadership under the microscope.

After receiving complaints that progressive elements are “waging a culture war against your children,” party chair Matthew Hurtt said he was establishing a task force to investigate the matter.

“I told you last year I would take the Arlington GOP on offense against the radical elements in our community, and this is our first opportunity,” Hurtt said in an e-mail to the party rank-and-file, seeking residents (particularly parents) to volunteer for service on the committee.

And Hurtt, who has deep ties within Republican and conservative circles, said he would watch carefully that school leaders don’t overstep their powers in pushing back against those who speak out.

“I will summon the full force of my local and national resources to protect parents and teachers who want to help shed light on this matter,” he said.

Hurtt’s actions were in response to comments he received from a teacher in the school system, voicing concern that specific efforts are under way in what he termed “pushing radical transgender ideology” on elementary-school students.

The missive to Arlington County Republican Committee members also asked for prospective School Board candidates to step up. Arlington Republicans often have candidate-recruitment challenges across Arlington’s local elected offices, including School Board, and have not had a member of that body since the eight-year tenure of David Foster ended in 2007.

The November 2024 election will include two of the five School Board seats; incumbent Democrats Cristina Diaz-Torres and David Priddy are not seeking re-election.

This news article was originally published by the Gazette Leader, and can be found here.