At-Large: What EVSC school board candidates say about diversity, inclusion and masks

EVANSVILLE − The Courier & Press asked candidates for Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. board to share their responses to questions about education and public schools.

Four seats are open on the seven-member school board in the Nov. 8 general election. They include one from District 1, two in District 2 and one At-Large seat.

Because there are 14 candidates competing to fill these positions, the candidates were asked to keep replies brief. The answers will appear in separate articles for District 1, District 2 and At-Large candidates unless they did not respond or chose not to answer briefly and in the question-and-answer format.

District 1:EVSC school board candidates talk about diversity, inclusion and masks

The first questions cover topics raised in education forums and on social media since the last school board election in 2020, and include diversity and inclusion topics, mask mandates and curriculum issues such as critical race theory.

In communities across the nation, including Indiana, parents and community members have expressed concerns about how school curriculums address these topics, especially critical race theory or CRT.

CRT is an academic theory that racism is not just individual prejudice, but is interwoven into institutions and public policies, promoting racial inequality in education and society.

Like other topics, CRT became a political arguing point in 2021, especially in K-12 education. Here is what Jason Woebkenberg, spokesman for the EVSC says about CRT:

"Critical Race Theory is a concept taught at the graduate level of universities. Our teachers cover content aligned to the Indiana Academic Standards. CRT is not part of these standards; therefore, our teachers do not teach this concept. The controversy involving CRT originated on the West Coast and has now led to continued rumors and falsehoods in the Midwest."

Running for the At-Large seat on the board are Jeff Worthington, Melissa Moore, John Geary II, Carolyn Gallagher and Ken Colbert.

Here the are answers from the candidates who answered the questions.

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What role do you believe the school board should have in determining curriculum?

Jeff Worthington: "I believe the school board should always be informed of current practices and any changes or new methods being implemented. The board should work in conjunction with the superintendent and the ETA to ensure the best practices are being used and not jump at the latest fad, sticking with the proven methods and ideologies."

John Geary II: "I believe that the school board should play a listeners roll in determining the curriculum for the EVSC. By that we should always follow the standard determined by the Indiana Department of Education. And as well as really listen to and understand the family of our students and what they would really want their children to learn. We must take a perspective that with what family may want or need could fall within the guidelines of the Indiana Department of Education standards and which in that time as school board members we should do our diligence to reach the academic needs for our student body and set the curriculum accordingly.

Ken Colbert: "The responsibility of creating appropriate curriculum within a community should be determined by the parents, teachers, and school administrators. The current curriculum has been attached to the financial resources of the Department of Education. The EVSC school administrators continue to follow the guidelines of the Federal Department of Education or the allocation is not provided. Common Core, which was approved by EVSC in exchange for the federal and state subsidy, has been detrimental to the developmental skills of the students. The ISTEP scores in the public school systems are abysmal resulting in a continued mass exodus of students to parochial, private, or home schooling. The standardization of public education has resulted in an ill equipped society. The current administration continues to embrace standardization in exchange for the money; the lower standard priorities of education have literally “dumb downed” the students with the inability to use discernment to solve and function in society."

Do you believe critical race theory should be included as part of the public school curriculum?

Worthington: "I believe avoiding the discussion of racism only allows radical opposing sides to fuel the fire with accusations that don’t have to be proven, but are meant to further divide. I do think racism is a topic of historical importance that most certainly should be discussed. But CRT in itself no."

Geary II: "I believe anything that could be educational or a form of education may be something that some individuals and families would like for their children to learn about. I do believe that anything surrounding different educational topics that doesn't involve traditional reading, writing, and arithmetic should be introduced to the parents first in a permission slip form and in return upon the collection of forms it will let you know what children to have in the additional classes, and that way what the family wants for their children will be honored and implemented accordingly."

Colbert: "The mantra of the Department of Education is to teach the ideologies of difference of the races in exchange for the money. EVSC and many public-school curriculum continue to embrace the ideologies of victimization and apology based on the color of your skin. The Critical Race Theory, by simple research, is rooted in Marxism and the necessity to separate races based upon inferiority or privilege of the races. This is a detriment to our community. EVSC has trained teachers that have signed Non Disclosure Agreements to hide the truth from the public. These ideologies of Critical Race Theory, Social Emotional Learning, or G.A.I.N have no place at EVSC. The EVSC Administration continues to deny access to public records that affirm the contracts between EVSC and the Department of Education outlining the protocols of these indoctrinations."

How do you believe the topic of race and/or racism should be taught in school?

Worthington: "In over 24 years of serving the community in law enforcement, 18 of which I worked in the schools, I have seen racism from all cultures. Racism is typically learned at home, through parental behavior and speech. How do we expect, other than through a teacher’s actions, to undo an ideology that is exhibited daily in a child’s home. Our teachers do their best to lead by example and try to correct inappropriate behavior when observed."

Geary II: "I believe that it should be taught in school with fact based information that shows all sides of racism and how it negatively effects everyone in the community. Also the topic of racism should always be brought to all students with respect and compassion to honestly teach about racism and should never be brought to a student from a teacher with their own point of views that could ascue or take away from the factual information regarding such an important subject."

Colbert: "The issue of racism is to be taught in history class; interestingly all ethnic groups have been persecuted throughout history. During the U.S. Civil War victimization of minorities is just a blip in world history. America recognized the atrocities by providing protections through the U.S. Constitution and amendments to celebrate our individual uniqueness. Those protections are being politicized with the intent to divide Americans, those in leadership role continue to perpetuate these perceived victimizations. The infiltration of Marxism into the classroom has made racism an emotional issue rather than a historical fact. EVSC continues the divide by accepting the money from the Federal Government. Title IX is a protection that is currently under federal review to further conflate and isolate. The School Corporation’s job is solely to educate the students not to perpetuate racism."

How should public schools approach issues of diversity in the student population such as gender and sexual orientation?

Worthington: "America is the most diverse country in the world. We should embrace diversity, but we can’t force it on people unwilling to approach it with an open mind. People have the right to think and live as they see fit. We can’t have a constant disruption to the learning environment by people looking for attention to their cause or by someone being abusive towards something they do not believe in. All students have the right to an education in a safe environment."

Geary II: "The schools should have the approach that everyone should always be treated with respect and compassion. We should never judge anyone on their appearance or their sexual orientation. We are all human beings and should be treated as such. The thought of doing otherwise based off discrimination of any kind is not right and must not be tolerated at all."

Colbert: "Interestingly, this is a question that should be asked of EVSC Administration: They have condoned and allowed for a gender and sexual orientation club to be established at Reitz High School. Perhaps the public should investigate the motive and funding. There are only two genders, male and female. The true science of anatomy determines the sex. Period. This is an area of gender and sexual orientation has nothing to do with education; however, it is an opportunity for EVSC to obtain money from the Federal Government. I refute teaching these ideas of gender and sexual orientation, EVSC accepts Federal subsidy to introduce these divisive programs into EVSC . The public schools are to educate the student to function in society and embrace their strengths. EVSC is promoting the ideologies of identifying or being acknowledged by a different pronoun. The public should monitor the Twitter accounts of the EVSC adminstration to receive a better understanding of the “pronoun” issue. The federal government is attempting to modify Title IX. The EVSC is encouraging and promoting through their G.A.I.N. program to push Social Emotional Learning over fact based teaching. The issue of gender and sexual orientation is to not be taught in the schools but a conversation between the parent(s) and child."

Should public schools mandate wearing masks during public health crises?

Worthington: "Public schools have to follow state mandates. All we can ask of our educational leaders is to take the most current, relevant information on health issues and do what they feel is in the best interest of our students and staff. I personally, was not a fan of the prolonged mask mandate in the schools. But, if that’s what needed to be done to allow students in schools per state guide lines, then that is better than not being in school at all."

Geary II: "We should follow the guidelines set forth by our state and local officials. And as well as listening to the objectives by our families as well. We must understand that not all of our families agree with this and other aspects of the health crises. We must listen and not jump to conclusions no matter what side you stand on with this topic of the health crises. I think we must give some options when topics such as this comes up. I often say one solution is not always the best option for all based on a number of different factors such as other health conditions, religious beliefs and others. So follow the guidelines set buy our local and state officials but also listen and show understanding to the families of the EVSC."

Colbert: "Indiana Senate Bill 5 passed in April 2020 established the rule of law and the issue of wearing of masks during a public health crises. That Indiana law determined the County Commissioners would determine the necessary protocols in a public health crises. Mandates are not Laws. The EVSC illegally and without authority masked the children in exchange for the $85 Million allocation of ESSER funding. Nationally, school corporations have been sued and lost in regards to overreaching their perceived authorities. EVSC provided in writing that their authority was granted to them by the mandate of the Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb and the CDC. Be aware, the Indiana governor is not the legislative branch of our government; he may issue any “mandate”, but it is totally unenforceable. The CDC does not create law, and just provides recommendations to the elected officials. The EVSC prostituted the children in exchange for receiving federal subsidy. EVSC has zero authority and the public should sue the school corporation for violation of their rights. I will adamantly vote no, if this issue resurfaces. The Indiana legislature determines the rule of law. A FOIA has been submitted to all the EVSC Administration, including their attorney Pat Shoulders, requesting the expenditures of any and all ESSER funding. This request was presented approximately a year ago and denial of public record continues. The EVSC works for the public."

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: At-Large EVSC school board candidates talk diversity, inclusion, masks