TX school faces backlash after statements about menstrual cycle tracking

Annie Gathings, a parent of a sixth-grader at the high school, said she was “shocked” when she heard about the teacher’s alleged comments.

A Texas high school is facing criticism after a teacher allegedly told a student that the school would track the menstrual cycles of female students.

The alleged statement was made by a female teacher at Clack Middle School, a public school that is part of the Abilene Independent School District (ISD) in Abilene, Texas. The details of the conversation have not been shared publicly.

“During a conversation between a female teacher and a female student, the teacher made a comment that did not meet our standards,” Abilene ISD said in a statement shared with USA TODAY. “The teacher made no mention of a school program for tracking students’ menstrual cycles. Such a program does not exist in Abilene ISD and never will. The district took immediate action to investigate the teacher’s comment, and the situation has been addressed. with appropriate personnel consequences.”

Parent questions the validity of the situation

Abilene resident Annie Gathings has a daughter in sixth grade at Clack Middle School. She told USA TODAY she learned of the alleged incident on Thursday, Oct. 24, and was “shocked” by it. Gathings said her daughter told her the teacher was at school Monday.

Looking back on the alleged incident, Gathings said she is unsure of its validity.

“This all could have just been a rumor started by a student. Since the teacher returned, I can only assume that a much bigger deal was made than it was,” Gathings told USA TODAY. ‘But if she does say those things, she has no desire to return to the school. I can’t imagine how uncomfortable the female students are with her after hearing what she allegedly said, but I trust that the school fully investigated the situation and took action. decision that was appropriate.”

The school district did not immediately respond to questions from USA TODAY about when the alleged incident occurred and whether the female teacher has returned to school.

Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at [email protected].