Hey Southlake listeners, it's Mike Kixenbaugh.

You're about to hear a clip from the first episode of our new podcast, Grapevine.

Two years after Antonio Hilton and I told you about the political revolt in Southlake,

the conservative Christian campaign to take control of local school boards has been spreading,

including to Grapevine, the town next door.

If you followed our reporting in Southlake, think of this new series as a sequel.

To hear the first two episodes right now, search for Grapevine, wherever you're listening,

and make sure to follow the podcast.

We're going to call the special meeting for August 22, 2022 to order.

It's the start of another school board meeting in Grapevine, Texas.

Historically, monthly meetings in this small wood-paneled boardroom have been low attendance sleepy affairs.

But tonight, residents are packed shoulder to shoulder, as district staff open the proceedings.

We will start with public comment.

Next on the agenda, can you all hear me? Can you hear me? Can you hear me now?

We're going to need this microphone tonight.

They're going to need that microphone because nearly 200 people have signed up to comment

on the school board majority's new plan for fighting what some of their supporters have been calling

woke gender ideology. Can you hear me?

After a moment of silence, and both the U.S. and Texas pledges, the board president tells everybody to behave.

The presiding officer may request assistance from law enforcement officials to have the individual or move from the meeting.

Things start out, cordial.

These ideologies don't belong in the classroom or the library.

...