Red Deer Catholic school trustee won't face dismissal despite backlash over social media post

A Catholic school board in Red Deer, Alta., ruled Tuesday that a trustee who likened LGBTQ pride to Nazi Germany won't be removed from her role, despite her violating its Trustee Code of Conduct and the Education Act.

Monique LaGrange, a trustee of Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools (RDCRS), took to Facebook toward the end of August to share a now-deleted meme that featured a picture of children waving Nazi flags above a picture of children waving Pride flags.

"Brainwashing is brainwashing," the post read.

LaGrange has been facing calls from the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) and the Central Alberta Pride Society to apologize for her comments and step down from the board.

At a meeting held Tuesday, the board found LaGrange violated the Trustee Code of Conduct and Alberta's Education Act, but ruled she would not be removed as a trustee.

Instead, LaGrange is censured from attending or participating in committee meetings, including those held by the Alberta School Boards Association and the Alberta Catholic School Trustees' Association, which has already removed LaGrange from her role as a director.

She also can't officially represent the board or school division in public or make statements about the LGBTQ community and the Holocaust.

She is, however, still allowed to attend regular board meetings and bring forward "educational-related issues" for discussion or debate.

The provisions began Tuesday and will remain in place until the end of LaGrange's term in the fall of 2025.

LaGrange declined an interview and directed CBC News to her lawyer.

According to the motion, the censure could be removed if the board's terms and conditions are met to the satisfaction of the board and if LaGrange acts in accordance with board policy and the Trustee Code of Conduct.

LaGrange is required to successfully complete sensitivity training about the Holocaust and LGBTQ discrimination, as well as training that covers professional school trustee boundaries and appropriate use of social media, cultural sensitivity and human rights.

"The above training is intended to remind the trustee of her role and responsibilities as a school board trustee and to assist the trustee to make better decisions in any further communications, including on social media," the motion concluded.

LaGrange must also issue a sincere public apology to school division students, staff and the board that recognizes the "inappropriateness" of her actions and that she is "deeply sorry for having offended anyone through her actions."