The Oil City Area School Board plans to vote next week on continued use of two programs, that still have two lessons scheduled, after they get further definitions on what is to be taught. This was the recommendation Monday from the curriculum committee during the board's work session meeting.
Along with an agenda that listed an administrator's report of items on personnel changes, contracts for "The Nutrition Group," budgets, building alterations, field trips, coaches and the need of another speech therapist position in the school district, there were also four individuals who spoke about the "We Care Elementary" and "Sexual Abuse Free Environment for Teens" programs and their concerns with the district's transparency.
Not including the school board members, the administrators, the three members of the press and a presenter from The Nutrition Group, 16 people attended Monday's Oil City School Board non voting meeting that was moved in the cafeteria at Hasson Heights Elementary School.
The four who spoke during the public comment section reiterated many of the same points brought up a few weeks ago in which they said a lessons being used by the district were not approved by the board, thus going against district policy. Since then, the district offered clarity to what they admit is a confusing use of the term curriculum by school officials and the public.
The confusion, one of the evening's commenters Jerry Burns pointed out. was from the district's frequent use of the term curriculum up until just recently. Last week, in a curriculum committee meeting, Superintendent Lynda Weller explained the administrators' overuse of the term curriculum and differentiated between a curriculum that requires board approval and resources, sometimes referred to as curriculum, that do not.
Along with an agenda that listed an administrator's report of items on personnel changes, contracts for "The Nutrition Group," budgets, building alterations, field trips, coaches and the need of another speech therapist position in the school district, there were also four individuals who spoke about the "We Care Elementary" and "Sexual Abuse Free Environment for Teens" programs and their concerns with the district's transparency.
Not including the school board members, the administrators, the three members of the press and a presenter from The Nutrition Group, 16 people attended Monday's Oil City School Board non voting meeting that was moved in the cafeteria at Hasson Heights Elementary School.
The four who spoke during the public comment section reiterated many of the same points brought up a few weeks ago in which they said a lessons being used by the district were not approved by the board, thus going against district policy. Since then, the district offered clarity to what they admit is a confusing use of the term curriculum by school officials and the public.
The confusion, one of the evening's commenters Jerry Burns pointed out. was from the district's frequent use of the term curriculum up until just recently. Last week, in a curriculum committee meeting, Superintendent Lynda Weller explained the administrators' overuse of the term curriculum and differentiated between a curriculum that requires board approval and resources, sometimes referred to as curriculum, that do not.
Joe Klapec, who spoke a little while later, didn't appreciate Weller's distinctions and accused her of trying to circumvent school board policy. He, Burns and two others on the agenda, Dan and Devin Aaron, expressed concerns of what Klapec call "a woke narrative" and Burns referred to as "confusing gender ideology."
Dan Aaron said "this lunacy doesn't belong in our schools." His wife, Devin Aaron agreed, adding "when we compromise to world views and sin is allowed in schools we will continue to decline." She also expressed that she and the other parents don't disapprove of the entirety of the progamsm, acknowledging the lessons on sexual harassment are important.
After the meeting, school board president Joseph McFadden expressed that he didn't recall hearing that point of view from the parents before.
After the meeting, school board president Joseph McFadden expressed that he didn't recall hearing that point of view from the parents before.
Curriculum chairperson Mark Kerr said he will recommend at the boards's next meeting that offer resource developers an oppportunity to present alternatives for consideration in the 2023-24 school year.
He also asked the board if they wanted to discuss anything involving the current two lessons still scheduled to be taught. Board member Lawrence Sterner asked about terms in the lessons, wanting clarification and definitions. Kerr offer to cooridinate with the administration and the PPC Violence Free Network, who administers the lessons in question, to get answers for Sterners and other members of the board.
He also asked the board if they wanted to discuss anything involving the current two lessons still scheduled to be taught. Board member Lawrence Sterner asked about terms in the lessons, wanting clarification and definitions. Kerr offer to cooridinate with the administration and the PPC Violence Free Network, who administers the lessons in question, to get answers for Sterners and other members of the board.
At the next meeting the board will vote whether to discontinue the classes currently being taught, which encompasses two more lessons, or to finish out the year and accept the program. They will also vote whether to seek alternative curricula or resources for the following year. Kerr said he hopes to have proposals beginning in May and board recommendations ready by the middle of June. Kerr said if a new program is chosen that will give the administrators six months to get to get the materials to the public for review and questions.
Kerr also recommended a committee chaired by board member Tyler Johnson that will include public input to discuss policies of how and when students and/or parents can opt out of certain lessons.
The next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m Monday March 27.
Kerr also recommended a committee chaired by board member Tyler Johnson that will include public input to discuss policies of how and when students and/or parents can opt out of certain lessons.
The next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m Monday March 27.
Editor's note: This story was edited after originally posted to bring information at the bottom of the story into the story's lead and to add links to previous story.
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