Rumors claiming schools are putting litter boxes in restrooms for students who identify as cats have spread across the United States this year, and have now reached Salem.
It started when a video of a central Michigan school board meeting went viral in mid-January after a parent claimed a "nefarious" agenda had taken hold of public schools in her county.
In the Dec. 21, 2021, YouTube video, which now has more than 91,000 views, a woman said during the Midland Public Schools board meeting that she was told there was a litter box in the bathroom of at least one local school for students who self-identify as cat "furries" — people who adopt and identify with an anthropomorphized animal persona, often within online or local communities of furries.
Meshawn Maddock, the co-chair of the Michigan Republican Party, shared the unsubstantiated comment on Facebook.
Midland Superintendent Michael Sharrow rejected the claim outright in an email sent to parents, staff and community members Jan. 20.
"Let me be clear … there is no truth whatsoever to this false statement/accusation! There have never been litter boxes within MPS schools," he wrote. "It is such a source of disappointment that I felt the necessity to communicate this message to you."
Across the country, from New York to Iowa and Texas, the same rumor swept through districts this spring. The New York Times, USA TODAY, Politifact, Reuters and Snopes, among other publications, wrote articles confirming the claims were...
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