MARIETTA, Ga. — Three Cobb County school administrators were affiliated with a hate group, according to a report Monday in the online Cobb County Courier. The Southern Poverty Law Center says the Powder Springs-based group called for the death penalty for gays and lesbians.
The three administrators work in the public school system’s communications and marketing divisions.
When the Cobb County board of education fired a teacher earlier this year after she read a book about gender stereotypes to fifth graders, it seemed to be part of a curious pattern of uncharacteristically angry official rhetoric from Cobb public schools, explained state Rep. Teri Anulewicz (D-Smyrna).
“Hitting a bunch of right wing talking points in an email that was sent to every parent about a lawsuit?” recalled Anulewicz. “You can share facts about litigation without sprinkling in hyperpartisan rhetoric.”
Now, the Cobb County Courier reports that three officials in Cobb’s school administration had been part of a group called American Vision—a place with a nondescript Powder Springs storefront, but a fiery online presence that the Southern Poverty Law Center describes as a hate group.
One of the administrators reportedly connected to American Vision is John Floresta, who talked with 11Alive News about a school bus driver shortage a few weeks ago. Two others, Julian Coca and Eric Rauch, are listed in the communications department.
American Vision is a group whose founder, Gary Demar, has called for the death penalty for uncloseted homosexuals, citing the Bible’s old testament.
In response, the Cobb schools communication division sent 11Alive an email that didn’t address the connection between the employees and the anti-gay group, but impugned the motives of the reporter who conducted the investigation.
“It is a sad day when schools must take time away from students and teachers to comment on a freelance writer’s attempt to dox veteran teachers,” wrote a Cobb County schools spokesperson.
The tie between the employees and the group is troubling, said Anulewicz.
“If I’m a parent who is gay or lesbian; if I’m a teacher, I would be very concerned to know that there are people in positions of authority making these policy decisions in the district who do not think my existence necessarily is valued,” she said.
The group’s founder, Demar, sent 11Alive a text message saying, “I do not speak to news outlets.”