Manitowoc school board bans teachers from sharing views on controversial topics in classrooms
MANITOWOC - Manitowoc Public School District teachers can no longer share personal opinions about controversial topics in the classroom.
The Manitowoc School Board voted unanimously at its last meeting to amend the existing policy so teachers are now barred from giving opinions about controversial topics as they teach in the classroom.
The amended policy was given a first reading by the board Aug. 24. During that meeting, board member Tony Vlastelica said the policy relates to controversial issues around political, social, economic and religious topics.
The school district’s policy defines controversial issues as a “topic on which opposing points of view have been promulgated.” It also says it can relate to a topic that is likely to produce both support and opposition from the community.
The previous policy, which was created in 2008 and modified in 2016, said teachers could express personal opinions about a controversial topic, but needed to identify it as a personal opinion and could not try to persuade students to their point of view.
The amended policy does allow educators to introduce controversial issues to their students, as long as they are related to the classroom’s instructional goals, the teacher does not indoctrinate or attempt to persuade students to a particular point of view, and the issues don't cause a disruption in the school environment.
“I just wanted to clarify for everyone, teachers and staff can certainly have an opinion,” Vlastelica said. “I don’t think anyone here is saying they can’t have an opinion on those issues. I think it’s really just that the classroom time, that’s not an appropriate time to share that.”
Teachers also need to have any controversial topics approved by the district administrator if they have not been specified in a course of study.
The policy states: “The opportunity (to discuss controversial issues) can lead students to learn about how to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills, to study and analyze relevant issues, evaluate different sources or information, make intelligent decisions regarding issues, and how to appreciate the value of differing viewpoints.”
Board member Kerry Trask supported the proposed changes and said he believed controversial issues have an educational purpose for schools and students.
“I think this is great, because there’s no attempt to suppress or mute anything, but things have a place,” he said.
Board member Kathy Willis said the Curriculum Committee has worked on updating the policy since May, which was right after three new board members were elected in April.
The amended policy was approved unanimously after little discussion during the school board meeting Sept. 13.
This policy change is one of the board’s noteworthy moves since the three new members — Matthew Phipps, Matthew Spaulding and Vlastelica — were elected in April. The newly seated board approved a measure to grant board members key fobs to access any school district building in July. The board held its first reading of the school visitors policy, which will allow the distribution of key fobs to board members, during the Sept. 13 meeting.
“The goal is to enhance the policy-making process and to cultivate an open, positive and cooperative relationship between the members of the Board and the teachers, administrates, and staff members …” the proposed policy states.
More: Manitowoc school board considers banning teachers from sharing 'controversial' topics in classrooms
The policy also includes rules dictating the proper use of the key fobs, including hours of use limited to 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, having each member sign in with the main office of each building during normal school hours, having board members openly wearing their official MPSD-issued identification while visiting any building, and they must gain consent of the teacher in charge to enter any classroom or area where educational activities are being conducted.
The Sept. 13 meeting was the board’s first reading of this policy, and they must have one more reading before it can take a final vote on it.
The next school board meeting has not yet been scheduled, but the board typically meets on the second Tuesday of each month, with a special meeting on the fourth Tuesday of each month, if needed.
Contact Alisa Schafer at aschafer@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @AlisaMSchafer.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Manitowoc school board bans opinions on certain topics in classrooms
