Lawmakers consider mandatory Board of Education training due to Natalie Cline

SALT LAKE CITY — Some lawmakers are considering whether to require the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) to undergo anti-bullying training in light of Natalie Cline’s behavior earlier this year.

Cline was stripped of her USBE duties and censured by the Utah State Legislature over a Facebook post in which she insinuated that a women’s basketball player was transgender.

She was wrong.

“She’s not sorry,” said House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper. “She feels like the victim and that’s sad.”

“I think she should resign,” said Gov. Spencer Cox.

Cline will not be on the ballot in November. She lost her re-election bid.

As the USBE prepares for change, some lawmakers are now focused on preventing bad behavior in the future.

Records obtained by FOX 13 News show it takes much more training to serve as a teacher than as an elected member of the USBE.

“Absolutely,” said USBE member Carol Lear. “Some of the behavior you see from board members would definitely cost them their jobs as teachers.”

State legislators also receive more training than the USBE.

“The only training required (for USBE) by state code is annual training on the Open and Public Meetings Act,” said Kelsey James, USBE communications coordinator.

Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, D-Holladay, said it’s time to consider whether that needs to change.

She said she was especially horrified by Cline’s behavior after learning the victim lives in her district.

“The (basketball) team was scared to go to the next game because they thought a lot of Natalie’s followers would be there,” Spackman Moss said. “Can you imagine your child being in high school and having security? Do you have to have security at school? What a humiliation.”

Spackman Moss said he wants USBE to receive training related to student privacy and bullying, making it absolutely clear that “any type of harassment, humiliation or comments about students is completely off limits.”

The board says it has “learning opportunities” throughout the year, which are not mandatory.

In theory, USBE members could vote to require them to undergo more training. So far, they have not agreed to do so.

“Ideally? They should do it themselves,” Spackman Moss said. “If they refuse? Then the Legislature might need to step in… Everyone who is in a position of trust over students should have training. Even if it seems like, ‘Oh, everyone should know this.’ Yes, you treat people with civility. You just remind them that I think there should be penalties.

According to Lear, in principle, more training is usually a good idea. Still, she doesn’t believe more training is the answer in this case.

“The behavior that triggered that whole storm (Natalie Cline) is, I think, more about civility and respect for human beings,” Lear said. “I don’t think you can teach people that.”

Sen. David Hinkins, R-Ferron, said he would agree with the USBE receiving the same training as the Legislature.

“Who knew we needed sexual harassment training?” said Spackman Moss. “But we have it, and it’s a good thing.”

Lear said he doesn’t believe the Legislature’s training has done enough to stop bullying.

“You can see examples of bad behavior in the Legislature, both bullying and inappropriate behavior,” Lear said. “In the teaching profession, we need to do a better job of developing good training. I have seen good training. I’ve seen really useless training.”

FOX 13 News reached out to Cline for comment, but she did not respond. She will still be able to participate in USBE meetings when her term ends.