School board votes to limit critical race theory to 2 high school classes
Nearly 100 parents, teachers and students argued both sides of Critical Race Theory at the board of education meeting Monday
Nearly 100 parents, teachers and students argued both sides of Critical Race Theory at the board of education meeting Monday
Nearly 100 parents, teachers and students argued both sides of Critical Race Theory at the board of education meeting Monday
After over an hour and a half of public comment, debating both sides of critical race theory, the Germantown Board of Education voted to limit the teachings to two elective classes only.
Critical race theory is the idea that racism is not just a product of personal prejudice, but is embedded into society through the legal system and public policy.
Though critics say it pits Black people and people of color against white people.
The Germantown Board of Education has flip-flopped on this decision twice recently.
In the Spring, the board voted to ban CRT, but weeks later voted to reinstate it.
Currently, critical race theory is being taught in two elective courses in the high school and has been for years.
Parents and teachers on Monday said it has been in the curriculum since 2010.
Board members, including the board president, argued that the discussion should be tabled until a public forum could be held, but parents on the opposing side argued that was exactly what the school board meeting was for.
One board member, Michael Loth, called critical race theory a Marxist notion and moved to ban it in Germantown schools.
WISN 12 spoke to parents on both sides of the argument.
"In general, we think the critical theories are a way for the students to look at things through another lens, that is how it's being taught in Germantown in the few courses it's being taught in," said Magdalia Porftmaikowski, a parent in the district and the president of the Germantown Community Coalition.
"In my personal opinion it is a criminal and Marxist and communist theory," said Helen Goltry, who has three kids in the Germantown School District. "If you actually research critical race theory, it's based in Marxism and it's defined as it's based in Marxism, it's defined that it is based in communism."
