Critical race theory not part of school’s curriculum

MINSTER — Having never been taught in the Minster school district, critical race theory will not be added to the school’s curriculum barring a state mandate, Minster Superintendent Brenda Boeke said Thursday night.

At the board of education meeting, Minster resident Pam Marshall asked if critical race theory would be taught with Boeke replying that it would not.

“Critical race theory is truthfully nothing that’s ever been discussed in Minster,” she said. “Until another mandate or regulation comes down, it’s not something that will be.”

Austin Kaylor, the high school principal and former social studies teacher, said that race is something that’s going to be covered regardless throughout different lessons such as the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 60s and other events throughout history.

“There’s certain high school subjects that race is going to come up. You’re going to teach about the Civil Rights Act of 1964,” he said. “To make it as big as a focal point — if I’m well-read on what the theory actually holds — that basically every other subject, event or day revolves around race … we’ve never done that and I don’t see a reason to do that.”

Critical race theory has been a hot-button issue recently, coming up in Texas, as legislators introduced bills that change requirements how racism, current events and the country’s founding principles are taught in schools.

Boeke said that schools in bigger cities operate different than rural ones like Minster, saying that she sits on the West Ohio Advocacy Network which is made up of 45 school superintendents.

“We meet regularly with Sen. Matt Huffman and Rep. Susan Manchester and they hear our concerns. They know that the rules they make for the big schools, don’t apply to us and that they need to make sure our voice is heard as well,” said Boeke. “They’ve been very receptive to that. We’ve gotten quite a bit of legislation that started right here in this room [because] it’s where we meet. They try to listen and understand what’s going on that what’s happening in Minster, Ohio is not the same thing that’s happening in Columbus, Cleveland and Dayton.”

Boeke added that the district’s curriculum is available on the Ohio Department of Education’s website which has everything listed.

Marshall also asked about the mask requirements for the upcoming school year.

Boeke said that the district’s plan is to make face coverings 100% optional.

“There are no recommendations or regulations that we are required to follow. Our plan is to start the school year as a normal school year,” she said. “We learned a great deal last year. We’re going to keep the positive stuff that we learned. Kids will not be required to wear masks, it is 100% optional. For those people who do want to wear them, they are more than welcome to and we do hope everyone expects those who need or want to wear a mask.”

Also Thursday, board members approved its final resolution to put the renewal of a 5-year, 1.05 mill permanent improvement levy on the November ballot.

District Treasurer Laura Klosterman said the increase equates to $75 per year on a $200,000 home.

The board had discussed how much the levy should increase, settling on 1.05 which is an increase from the previous 0.8 mills.

The levy will generate $73,451 per year according to Klosterman.

Also Monday, the board approved various contracts for the upcoming school year, with Kaylor getting a three-year contract to continue as high school principal.

In other business:

• The board accepted a $92,884 donation from

the athletic boosters. The money is used for athletics with $45,000 of that money going toward track resurfacing. The board also accepted a $2,000 donation from McDonald’s for its Makerspace program as well as $1,000 from the Minster Service Club.

• The board learned from Klosterman that the

Class of 2021 transferred what was left in its class fund to the Class of 2022.

• The board approved bus routes for the upcoming school year as well as fees for the elementary and the high school and also adopted new athletic ticket prices.

• The next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Aug.

16.