The book, “Jacob’s New Dress,” was to be part of an anti-bullying program in four elementary schools. However, the district replaced the book fearing disapporval from the General Assembly, according to Charles Jeter, district's chief lobbiest and a former Republican legislator. 

 

Instead, the district will use, “Red: A Crayon’s Story,” a book about a red crayon that sees itself as blue.

 

Separately, the CMS school board is preparing to add sexual orientation and “gender identity/expression” to its policy on multiculturalism. The program is designed by the national Human Rights Campaign to help elementary schools become LGBTQ-inclusive according to the Observer. 

 

Jeters learned about the proposed lesson that included "Jacob's New Dress" from former legislative colleagues who were informed by a CMS teacher. Jeter told his CMS superiors they were in danger of triggering a backlash similar to HB2.