Mifflinburg passes resolution against education mandate
Nov. 14—MIFFLINBURG — The Mifflinburg Area School Board is pushing back against the state Department of Education requiring "culturally relevant and sustaining education (CR-SE)."
At Tuesday night's public meeting, seven board members unanimously voted to approve a resolution to request that the Pennsylvania General Assembly take immediate action to remove this requirement from the School Code. Directors Dennis Keiser and Brandon Straub were absent from the meeting.
The resolution was passed without discussion.
The state is requiring the professional development programs to integrate eight CR-SE competencies no later than the 2023-24 academic year, according to the state Department of Education (PDE) website. Educator preparation and induction programs must integrate CR-SE competencies no later than the 2024-25 academic year. One of the competencies in the CR-SE program calls on educators to "identify, deepen understanding of and take steps to address bias in the system," according to state guidelines.
"The Board of School Directors has determined that this professional development requirement lacks measurable standards in their current form, lacks definition of concepts presented in the document, fails to identify accountability measures of this document, potentially contradicts freedoms established in the Bill of Rights by the wording utilized in this document," according to the resolution.
"The board of school directors supports continuing professional development, including in areas of trauma, discrimination, equality, rights and relationship building, and will implement these types of trainings as a local decision, controlled by local policies and administrative regulations. The board of school directors has determined that the Mifflinburg Area School District will take the stance that all students, regardless of background, race, ethnicity, gender, economic status, ability, religion, culture and sexual orientation will be treated equitably and will have access to the educational opportunities in the district as a local decision, and the district and the board of school directors will continue to improve processes/procedures to that end," according to the resolution.
"The board of school directors understands that there is a shortage of highly qualified teachers and placing additional requirements on those already certified is problematic and potentially detrimental to the district," according to the resolution.
The board "finds and declares that this professional development requirement is immeasurable and too ambiguous to implement," according to the resolution. "The lack of clarity presents an undue burden on the school district and its professional educators."
In other business, the board approved:
The permission to seek proposals to farm the 14.1 acres of property located at the intermediate school.
The acceptance of a grant for $10,000 from the Union/Snyder Area on Aging for a calming room for students in special education classes.
The acceptance of the terms of the settlement agreement for a student in the amount of $38,000 plus legal fees.
The resignation of Director Wendy McClintock, effective Wednesday.
A contract with Danita Baber to provide school psychologist services on a case-by-case basis at a rate of $130 per hour.
A dual enrollment agreement with Lackawanna College.
