{"id":73031,"date":"2026-02-23T12:36:12","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T17:36:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/?p=73031"},"modified":"2026-02-23T16:31:01","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T21:31:01","slug":"michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\/","title":{"rendered":"Michigan school board member calls for fed probe over \u2018indoctrination\u2019 claims"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>State Board of Education member Nikki Snyder wants a federal investigation of the Michigan Department of Education<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>She claims new health standards violate the law by including lessons on gender identity<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The request comes days after feds launched a probe of Detroit, Lansing and Godfrey-Lee schools\u2019 sex ed curricula<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Days after the US Department of Justice announced <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/opa\/pr\/justice-department-opens-investigations-three-michigan-school-districts-required-instruction?utm_source=Bridge+Michigan&amp;utm_campaign=4461bafa5b-Education+Watch+02%2F20%2F2026&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_c64a28dd5a-4461bafa5b-\">investigations<\/a> into three Michigan school districts over sexual education, a state Board of Education member is seeking a wider federal probe over Michigan\u2019s policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Board member Nikki Snyder, R-Whitmore Lake, sent a letter to the federal agency on Monday, claiming that Michigan is prioritizing \u201cindoctrination of students\u201d over improving test scores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPublic schools are not a space for evangelism or gender transitioning,\u201d Snyder wrote.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Snyder\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Letter-to-DOJ-incl-Evidence.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">letter<\/a> alleges the state is violating state and federal law about parental rights with health education standards guidelines that were <a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-adopts-updated-sex-education-standards-after-contentious-meeting\/\">approved in November<\/a> over objections from Snyder and fellow Republican board member Tom McMillin.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Related:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/after-sex-ed-controversy-gop-seeks-more-control-over-michigan-classrooms\/\">After sex-ed controversy, GOP seeks more control over Michigan classrooms<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/gretchen-whitmer-pitches-88b-budget-what-it-means-for-michiganders-schools\/\">Gretchen Whitmer pitches $88B budget. What it means for Michiganders, schools<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/new-michigan-superintendent-aims-to-raise-test-scores-collaborate-with-whitmer\/\">New Michigan superintendent aims to raise test scores, collaborate with Whitmer<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The new policy recommends students be taught about gender identity and sexual orientation. Students are required to take health class to graduate high school but can opt out of sex education with no penalty.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Snyder told Bridge she believes the Department of Education is violating <a href=\"https:\/\/www.legislature.mi.gov\/Laws\/MCL?objectName=mcl-380-1170\">state<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.legislature.mi.gov\/Laws\/MCL?objectName=mcl-388-382\">law<\/a> by including gender identity as a topic in health class, rather than sex education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She said guidance from the state goes against a Supreme Court ruling and an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/presidential-actions\/2025\/01\/defending-women-from-gender-ideology-extremism-and-restoring-biological-truth-to-the-federal-government\/\">executive order<\/a> from President Donald Trump that defined \u201ctwo sexes, male and female.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the letter, she likened the state Department of Education to mobsters, writing that &#8220;districts must either get-in-line or face financial pain.&#8221; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The letter includes attachments of the health education standards guidelines, a 2016 state guidance document about supporting LGBTQ students and a resolution Snyder has provided to local districts opposing the new standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe must hold a rogue, unelected, unaccountable and socially progressive organization like the (Department of Education) in check,\u201d Snyder said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The state education agency referred Bridge to its comments last week about the other DOJ investigations and said it \u201chas not heard directly from the Department of Justice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the statement last week, State Superintendent Glenn Maleyko said \u201clocal school boards set health curriculum with input from local sex education advisory boards.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLocal control remains in place. Parents retain the right to decide whether their children should participate in sex education instruction,\u201d Maleyko said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Maleyko said at the time the DOJ falsely labeled the health education standards guidelines as requirements.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Department of Justice declined to comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is not the first time the state education department\u2019s efforts related to LGBTQ students have come under scrutiny.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During the 2022 election, Republican gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer <a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-dept-education-lgbtq-gender-training-blasted-dixon-whitmer\/?_gl=1*jr2zbw*_gcl_au*OTk3MDYwOTk5LjE3Njc2MTk4Nzk.*_ga*MzQ5NTUyMDUwLjE3Njc2MTk4Nzg.*_ga_SDMLQHFB10*czE3NzE4NTk2MzckbzE4NCRnMCR0MTc3MTg1OTg3MCRqNTckbDAkaDA.*_ga_1E2G9MSHX5*czE3NzE4NTk2MjkkbzE4MCRnMSR0MTc3MTg1OTg2MyRqNjAkbDAkaDA.*_ga_KX5CRZVP9F*czE3NzE4NTk2MjkkbzE4MCRnMSR0MTc3MTg1OTg2MyRqNjAkbDAkaDA.\">criticized state training videos <\/a>for schools that advised educators that it&#8217;s sometimes OK to not tell parents about their children\u2019s gender identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There has also been scrutiny on how school districts include transgender students in <a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/trans-rights-fight-returns-wedge-michigan-elections\/\">bathroom<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-transgender-youths-continue-high-school-sports-despite-trump-order\/\">sporting policies<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Last week, the Department of Justice announced it was opening investigations into Detroit Public Schools Community District, Lansing School District and Godfrey-Lee Public Schools near Grand Rapids.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The probe focuses on if these districts \u201chave included sexual orientation and gender ideology\u201d content in PreK-12 classes.<br><br>Maleyko said the request for a wide range of materials \u201crisk(s) diverting time and resources away from the core mission of educating students.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Republican State Board of Education member claims the agency is prioritizing sexual politics over test scores.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":581,"featured_media":73033,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_popups_has_disabled_popups":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","inline_featured_image":false,"apple_news_api_created_at":"2026-02-23T17:36:17Z","apple_news_api_id":"e207cdf7-30ed-488e-94ae-f5601ea4ae4a","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2026-02-23T21:31:05Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQ==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/A4gfN9zDtSI6UrvVgHqSuSg","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"_newspack_byline_active":false,"_newspack_byline":"","newspack_featured_image_position":"","newspack_post_subtitle":"","newspack_article_summary_title":"Overview:","newspack_article_summary":"","newspack_hide_updated_date":false,"newspack_show_updated_date":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false},"categories":[2454],"tags":[565,1510],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"coauthors":[2475],"class_list":["post-73031","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-talent-education","tag-detroit","tag-michigan-k-12-schools","entry"],"apple_news_notices":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Michigan school board member calls for fed probe over \u2018indoctrination\u2019 claims - Bridge Michigan<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Michigan school board member calls for fed probe over \u2018indoctrination\u2019 claims - Bridge Michigan\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A Republican State Board of Education member claims the agency is prioritizing sexual politics over test scores.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Bridge Michigan\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BridgeMichigan\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-02-23T17:36:12+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-23T21:31:01+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/20251113_Snyder_BOE_Wells.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Isabel Lohman\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@bridgemichigan\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@bridgemichigan\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Isabel Lohman\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Isabel Lohman\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#\/schema\/person\/11c180026f82614f93c19d9f138d3e0b\"},\"headline\":\"Michigan school board member calls for fed probe over \u2018indoctrination\u2019 claims\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-23T17:36:12+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-23T21:31:01+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\/\"},\"wordCount\":613,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/20251113_Snyder_BOE_Wells.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1\",\"keywords\":[\"Detroit\",\"Michigan K-12 schools\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Talent &amp; Education\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\/\",\"name\":\"Michigan school board member calls for fed probe over \u2018indoctrination\u2019 claims - Bridge Michigan\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/20251113_Snyder_BOE_Wells.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-23T17:36:12+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-23T21:31:01+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/20251113_Snyder_BOE_Wells.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/20251113_Snyder_BOE_Wells.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":800,\"caption\":\"Board of Education Member Nikki Snyder, R-Whitmore Lake, is requesting that the US Department of Justice investigate the Michigan Department of Education. Snyder alleges that MDE is violating state law. (Brian Wells for Bridge Michigan)\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Michigan school board member calls for fed probe over \u2018indoctrination\u2019 claims\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/\",\"name\":\"Bridge Michigan\",\"description\":\"Michigan\u2019s nonpartisan, nonprofit news source\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Bridge Michigan\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/logo-500.svg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/logo-500.svg\",\"width\":500,\"height\":188,\"caption\":\"Bridge Michigan\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BridgeMichigan\/\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/bridgemichigan\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/bridge.michigan\",\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/bridgemi.com\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@bridge.michigan\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#\/schema\/person\/11c180026f82614f93c19d9f138d3e0b\",\"name\":\"Isabel Lohman\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/59a1c89874d2a10a4d68e7d2928bf9fa\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/isabel3-96x96.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/isabel3-96x96.jpg\",\"caption\":\"Isabel Lohman\"},\"description\":\"Isabel reports on early childhood, K-12 and higher education for Bridge Michigan. She loves visiting schools and analyzing how policies made in Lansing affect students and educators. Previously, she was the children\u2019s issues reporter for the Knoxville News Sentinel in Tennessee. There, she reported on the state's third-largest public school district's COVID-19 response and how a community copes after losing teenagers to gun violence. Isabel grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and has also lived in Missouri, Tennessee and Belgium. Isabel moved to Ann Arbor in January 2022 where she experienced her first Michigan winter. She has a warm winter hat with a snap-on puff ball. You can reach Isabel at ilohman@bridgemi.com.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/author\/isabel-lohman\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Michigan school board member calls for fed probe over \u2018indoctrination\u2019 claims - Bridge Michigan","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Michigan school board member calls for fed probe over \u2018indoctrination\u2019 claims - Bridge Michigan","og_description":"A Republican State Board of Education member claims the agency is prioritizing sexual politics over test scores.","og_url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\/","og_site_name":"Bridge Michigan","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BridgeMichigan\/","article_published_time":"2026-02-23T17:36:12+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-02-23T21:31:01+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":800,"url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/20251113_Snyder_BOE_Wells.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Isabel Lohman","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@bridgemichigan","twitter_site":"@bridgemichigan","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Isabel Lohman","Est. reading time":"3 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\/"},"author":{"name":"Isabel Lohman","@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#\/schema\/person\/11c180026f82614f93c19d9f138d3e0b"},"headline":"Michigan school board member calls for fed probe over \u2018indoctrination\u2019 claims","datePublished":"2026-02-23T17:36:12+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-23T21:31:01+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\/"},"wordCount":613,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/20251113_Snyder_BOE_Wells.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1","keywords":["Detroit","Michigan K-12 schools"],"articleSection":["Talent &amp; Education"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\/","url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\/","name":"Michigan school board member calls for fed probe over \u2018indoctrination\u2019 claims - Bridge Michigan","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/20251113_Snyder_BOE_Wells.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1","datePublished":"2026-02-23T17:36:12+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-23T21:31:01+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/20251113_Snyder_BOE_Wells.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1","contentUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/20251113_Snyder_BOE_Wells.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1","width":1200,"height":800,"caption":"Board of Education Member Nikki Snyder, R-Whitmore Lake, is requesting that the US Department of Justice investigate the Michigan Department of Education. Snyder alleges that MDE is violating state law. (Brian Wells for Bridge Michigan)"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Michigan school board member calls for fed probe over \u2018indoctrination\u2019 claims"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/","name":"Bridge Michigan","description":"Michigan\u2019s nonpartisan, nonprofit news source","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#organization","name":"Bridge Michigan","url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/logo-500.svg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/logo-500.svg","width":500,"height":188,"caption":"Bridge Michigan"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BridgeMichigan\/","https:\/\/x.com\/bridgemichigan","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/bridge.michigan","https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/bridgemi.com","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@bridge.michigan"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#\/schema\/person\/11c180026f82614f93c19d9f138d3e0b","name":"Isabel Lohman","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/59a1c89874d2a10a4d68e7d2928bf9fa","url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/isabel3-96x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/isabel3-96x96.jpg","caption":"Isabel Lohman"},"description":"Isabel reports on early childhood, K-12 and higher education for Bridge Michigan. She loves visiting schools and analyzing how policies made in Lansing affect students and educators. Previously, she was the children\u2019s issues reporter for the Knoxville News Sentinel in Tennessee. There, she reported on the state's third-largest public school district's COVID-19 response and how a community copes after losing teenagers to gun violence. Isabel grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and has also lived in Missouri, Tennessee and Belgium. Isabel moved to Ann Arbor in January 2022 where she experienced her first Michigan winter. She has a warm winter hat with a snap-on puff ball. You can reach Isabel at ilohman@bridgemi.com.","url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/author\/isabel-lohman\/"}]}},"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Michigan school board member calls for fed probe over \u2018indoctrination\u2019 claims","url":"http:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/20251113_Snyder_BOE_Wells.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/20251113_Snyder_BOE_Wells.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1"},"articleSection":"Talent &amp; Education","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Isabel Lohman"}],"creator":["Isabel Lohman"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Bridge Michigan","logo":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/logo-500.svg"},"keywords":["detroit","michigan k-12 schools"],"dateCreated":"2026-02-23T17:36:12Z","datePublished":"2026-02-23T17:36:12Z","dateModified":"2026-02-23T21:31:01Z"},"rendered":"<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"wp-parsely-metadata\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"headline\":\"Michigan school board member calls for fed probe over \\u2018indoctrination\\u2019 claims\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/bridgemi.com\\\/talent-education\\\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\\\/\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/bridgemi.com\\\/talent-education\\\/michigan-school-board-member-calls-for-fed-probe-over-indoctrination-claims\\\/\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/bridgemi.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/20251113_Snyder_BOE_Wells.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/bridgemi.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/20251113_Snyder_BOE_Wells.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1\"},\"articleSection\":\"Talent &amp; Education\",\"author\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Isabel Lohman\"}],\"creator\":[\"Isabel Lohman\"],\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"Bridge Michigan\",\"logo\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bridgemi.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/logo-500.svg\"},\"keywords\":[\"detroit\",\"michigan k-12 schools\"],\"dateCreated\":\"2026-02-23T17:36:12Z\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-23T17:36:12Z\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-23T21:31:01Z\"}<\/script>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/bridgemi.com\/p.js"},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/20251113_Snyder_BOE_Wells.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3763,"url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/who-running-michigan-state-board-education\/","url_meta":{"origin":73031,"position":0},"title":"Who is running for the Michigan State Board of Education?","author":"Zahra Ahmad","date":"September 26, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"The board has little influence over day-to-day operations of Michigan schools, but it has become a focal point of cultural and gender controversies over curriculum. Two seats are up for grabs.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Michigan Government&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Michigan Government","link":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/category\/michigan-government\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/3rd_grade_slide_12-1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/3rd_grade_slide_12-1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/3rd_grade_slide_12-1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/3rd_grade_slide_12-1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/3rd_grade_slide_12-1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2153,"url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/after-oxford-shooting-report-call-stricter-safety-training-requirements-falters\/","url_meta":{"origin":73031,"position":1},"title":"After Oxford shooting report, a call for stricter safety training requirements falters","author":"Hannah Dellinger, Chalkbeat Detroit","date":"November 15, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"A month after a report on the deadly Oxford H.S. shooting, Michigan\u2019s State Board of Education dismissed a proposal calling for stricter safety training requirements.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Talent &amp; Education&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Talent &amp; Education","link":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/category\/talent-education\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"lansing","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/lansing_0.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/lansing_0.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/lansing_0.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/lansing_0.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/lansing_0.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":66326,"url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/board-picks-interim-state-superintendent-as-maleyko-contract-talks-continue\/","url_meta":{"origin":73031,"position":2},"title":"Board names interim state superintendent as Maleyko contract talks continue","author":"Isabel Lohman","date":"September 9, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"As State Superintendent Michael Rice gets closer to retirement and contract talks continue with his successor, the State Board of Education makes a contingency plan.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Talent &amp; Education&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Talent &amp; Education","link":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/category\/talent-education\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Sue Carnell and Glenn Maleyko headshots.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Sue-Carnell-Glenn-Maleyko-courtesy.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Sue-Carnell-Glenn-Maleyko-courtesy.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Sue-Carnell-Glenn-Maleyko-courtesy.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Sue-Carnell-Glenn-Maleyko-courtesy.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Sue-Carnell-Glenn-Maleyko-courtesy.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3661,"url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/eight-candidates-vie-two-seats-michigan-state-board-education\/","url_meta":{"origin":73031,"position":3},"title":"Eight candidates vie for two seats on Michigan state Board of Education","author":"Tracie Mauriello, Chalkbeat Detroit","date":"October 20, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Candidates weigh in on school choice, book bans, the performance of state Superintendent Michael Rice, and more.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Talent &amp; Education&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Talent &amp; Education","link":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/category\/talent-education\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"chalkboard","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/chalkboard-shutterstock.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/chalkboard-shutterstock.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/chalkboard-shutterstock.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/chalkboard-shutterstock.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/chalkboard-shutterstock.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4888,"url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-school-board-member-after-oxford-shooting-make-school-optional\/","url_meta":{"origin":73031,"position":4},"title":"Michigan school board member after Oxford shooting: Make school optional","author":"Ron French","date":"December 7, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Education is required from ages 6-16. State Board member Tom McMillin says that after a deadly school shooting in Oxford it\u2019s time to rethink that practice. Other state education leaders dismissed the suggestion.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Talent &amp; Education&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Talent &amp; Education","link":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/category\/talent-education\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Tom McMillin","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/tom-mcmillin.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/tom-mcmillin.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/tom-mcmillin.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/tom-mcmillin.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/tom-mcmillin.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2540,"url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-education-board-seeks-ruling-new-whitmer-education-agency\/","url_meta":{"origin":73031,"position":5},"title":"Michigan education board seeks ruling on new Whitmer education agency","author":"Hannah Dellinger\/Chalkbeat Detroit","date":"August 8, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"The state\u2019s elected board of education wants to know if a new department created by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer violates its constitutional power to oversee all public education.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Talent &amp; Education&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Talent &amp; Education","link":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/category\/talent-education\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer talking on microphone","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/USE-THIS-whitmer_signing_red_flag_1.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/USE-THIS-whitmer_signing_red_flag_1.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/USE-THIS-whitmer_signing_red_flag_1.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/USE-THIS-whitmer_signing_red_flag_1.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/USE-THIS-whitmer_signing_red_flag_1.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73031","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/581"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=73031"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73031\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":73056,"href":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73031\/revisions\/73056"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/73033"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=73031"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=73031"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=73031"},{"taxonomy":"newspack_spnsrs_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_spnsrs_tax?post=73031"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=73031"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}