[ad_1]<\/p>\n
LEWISTOWN \u2014 By an 8-1 margin, the Mifflin County School Board voted to keep Critical Race Theory and the 1619 project out of the classroom. <\/p>\n
The board elected to prohibit CRT and 1619 in the district, but Don Wright, the only member to vote no, said the reason he did was because the resolution wasn\u2019t strong or clear enough. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe agree in this proposal that Critical Race Theory will not be part of the curriculum. I accept that,\u201d<\/span> he said. \u201cBut there is no way of knowing whether it\u2019s getting through or not. We\u2019ve seen it across the county through online learning and supplemental downloads. It\u2019s happening in this state. I accept this because it\u2019s the best we can get, but it\u2019s up to the parents and students to let us know when it comes in.\u201d<\/span> <\/p>\n Critical Race Theory (CRT) is an interdisciplinary approach to the study of race, racism, and race-based social and political systems. It was developed by legal scholars and activists in the late 1970s and early 1980s to address issues of racism and racial inequality in the United States. It has since been used to examine race-based disparities in areas such as education, criminal justice, housing, employment, and health care. <\/p>\n The 1619 Project is a New York Times Magazine initiative that aims to reframe the way Americans think about the legacy of slavery in the United States. The project was launched in 2019 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in Virginia. <\/p>\n It is an ongoing project that consists of essays, podcasts, videos, and other forms of media that explore the history of slavery and its modern-day implications. The 1619 Project seeks to challenge the notion that the American Revolution was a victory for freedom. Instead, it centers the story of slavery and its impact on the country\u2019s history and present-day society. <\/p>\n Critics of CRT and the 1619 Project believe Critical Race Theory is bigoted, seeks to divide Americans along racial lines, and is a form of \u201creverse racism\u201d<\/span> that puts white people at a disadvantage. <\/p>\n Also, critics feel the 1619 Project is revisionist history and ignores the contributions of white Americans to the nation\u2019s history. It is biased and unfairly portrays the United States in a negative light and is part of a larger \u201ccultural Marxist\u201d<\/span> agenda to undermine traditional American values. <\/p>\n Supporters view CRT and the 1619 Project as necessary to achieve a more just and equitable society. Opponents argue that both are part of a larger agenda to undermine traditional American values and promote a \u201cvictim mentality\u201d<\/span> in the United States. <\/p>\n In other board news, <\/p>\n \u2022 Approved the minutes of the Reorganization meeting held December 1, 2022. <\/p>\n \u2022 Approved the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held December 1, 2022. <\/p>\n \u2022 Approved the minutes of the rescheduled Regular Board meeting held December 19, 2022. <\/p>\n \u2022 Approved the following draft policies as a first\u202freading, to replace the board\u2019s previously adopted board policies of the same number: PSBA updated, previously approved policies: 011\u2013Principles for Governance and Leadership, 200\u2013Enrollment of Students, 202\u2013Eligibility of Nonresident Students, 204\u2013Attendance, 217\u2013Graduation, 221\u2013Dress and Grooming, 233\u2013Suspension and Expulsion, 251\u2013Students Experiencing Homelessness, Foster Care and Other Educational Instability (This updated policy has merged policies 251 and 255. Once adopted, policy 255 will be deleted.), Section 200 \u2013 Pupils: 229\u2013Student Fundraising, 230\u2013Public Performances by Students, 231\u2013Social Events and Class Trips, 235\u2013Student Rights and Responsibilities, 235.1\u2013Surveys, 239\u2013Foreign Exchange Students, Section 300 \u2013 Employees: 301\u2013Creating a Position, 302\u2013Employment of Superintendent, 304\u2013Employment of District Staff, 304.1\u2013Nepotism, 305\u2013Employment of Substitutes, 306\u2013Employment of Summer School Staff, 307\u2013Student Teachers\/Interns, 308\u2013Employment Contract\/Board Resolution, 309\u2013Assignment and Transfer. <\/p>\n \u2022 Approved the following Financial items: Review of Treasurer Reports for month ended December 31, 2022, Review of listing of bills for payment, Review of Revenue and Expense Summaries, Real Estate and Per capita Tax Collector Reports, Per capita Tax Exoneration Requests from Elected Tax Collectors (changes from originals). <\/p>\n Approved to exonerate Cindy McKnight, Decatur Township Tax Collector, from collecting 2022 real estate taxes for parcel # 15,09-0211\u2013,000 <\/p>\n Approved to exonerate Sherry Miller, Oliver Township Tax Collector, from collecting 2022 real estate taxes for parcel # 19,07-0101D-,000. <\/p>\n Approved the Cafeteria Financial Report for December 2022 <\/p>\n \t\u202f <\/p>\n Approved authorization to pay Cafeteria Bills for December 2022. <\/p>\n Approved the following drivers: Ashley Freeman (Fisher Brothers), Domeeka Harris (Krise), Casey Yoder (Krise). <\/p>\n Approved for student #14-13-10 to complete Homebound Instruction for an additional 3 months. <\/p>\n Approved the MCHS Indoor Groups (Drum Lines and Guards and Dance Team) to attend the Tournament of Bands \u2013 Tournament Indoor Association Susquehanna Valley Region 4 Championships on Sunday, April 30, 2023,\u202fheld at Bellefonte Area\u202fHigh School beginning at approximately 2 PM. <\/p>\n Approved the following coaches for the spring 2023 season: Jeremy Herwig (volunteer junior high girls soccer), Wayne Specht (head JV softball), Hannah Bubb (paid assistant JV softball), Keith Yoder (volunteer junior high boys soccer), Todd Peters (volunteer junior high boys soccer), Tamara Sechler (head boys track and field coach). <\/p>\n Approved the following coaches for the fall of 2023: Jennifer Johnson (head cheer), Neil Breneman (head girls cross country), Greg Loht (head boys cross country), Shane Breon (head football), Aaron Bubb (head golf), Keith Yoder (head boys soccer), Barrett Knepp (head girls soccer), Jenna Slepicka (head volleyball), Joe Daubert (volunteer football coach), Meredith Schwenk (head girls tennis). <\/p>\n Approved the following\u202fevent staff\u202ffor the 22-23 school year: Tracy Shade. <\/p>\n Approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the MCESPA (Support Personnel) contract regarding seniority. <\/p>\n Approved the contract for Act 30 services provided by the TIU 11 at a cost of $43,908 for the retroactive start date of July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023. <\/p>\n Approved the updated MCSD Health and Safety Plan as of 1\/26\/2023. <\/p>\n Approved the contract to provide supervisory services for Penn State University doctoral student, Christieanna Tawiah, the district\u2019s Mental Health Coordinator, funded by under the PCCD grant for a term beginning retroactive to September 23, 2022, through July 23, 2023. <\/p>\n Approve the updated Power Purchase Agreement from McClure Company. <\/p>\n Approved the Outdoor School for LIS 5th grade students on April 3-6, April 11-14, April 18-21, and May 2-5 to Camp Blue Diamond (part of Shaver\u2019s Creek Center). Students stay for 4 days and 3 nights. <\/p>\n Approved the proposed 2023-2024 MCSD calendar. <\/p>\n Approved to accept the Audit Report for year ended June 30, 2022. <\/p>\n Approved Breslin Architects as the architectural and engineering design service for the two field houses for the Multi-Sports Facilities Project at a rate of 7% of the construction bids for the field houses. <\/p>\n Approved the ELA Group at a cost not to exceed $300,000 for the Professional Engineering Services Fee for the Multi-Sports Facilities Project. This project will be good for land usage for 5 years. <\/p>\n Approved the draft Policy 235.1 \u2013 Survey as a first reading. <\/p>\n Approved salary adjustment for Thomas White, Jr. to $92,500 annual salary retroactive for the school year, 2022-23. <\/p>\n Approved Lindsay E. Gehman as Interim Board Secretary effective retroactive to 01\/19\/2023. <\/p>\n Board member Mark Baker asked to be removed from the Policy Committee and Board member Don Wright replaced him. <\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n
\n
<\/p>\n