Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Mary Thom steps up to the microphone to express her views about critical race theory at the District 88 board meeting Thursday night. Several members of the public took advantage of a public hearing portion of the meeting to adress issues that were not on the board’s agenda.

NEW ULM — Members of the public opposed to teaching Critical Race Theory (CRT) were able to voice those concerns to the New Ulm School Board Thursday.

Last month, the School Board meeting was filled with several members of the public wanting to speak out against (CRT). As the issues were not part of the board’s agenda no comments were taken at the meeting, to the frustration of many in attendance.

In response, the board allowed a 30 minute public comment period at the end of Thursday’s meeting. Speakers were given two minutes to present their topic or concern for the board. Since this was a non-agenda item, the board gave no response and took no action.

Before the start of the meeting, Board Chair Steve Gag read a statement. He thanked everyone for attending the meeting. Based on meetings he and Vice-Chair Jonathan Schiro had with members of the public he believed an opening statement was appropriate.

Gag’s statement began by quoting the National School Board Association.

“The premise of public education is for every child to succeed at school and life,” he said. “To realize this promise every child must be given resources, support and interventions based on his or her needs.”

Gag said the school’s mission statement and goals would achieve these goals. He closed the statement by saying “we are not working on an equity policy nor do we have a plan to do so.”

The first public speaker was Mary Thom who expressed concerns the board was moving forward with CRT programs. She said even though the board said CRT was not being endorsed and no equity policy was in the works, she had attended the board’s study session on equity and inclusion and seen the board discuss using what they learn for long-term planning.

“Focusing on individual needs of students who may have fallen through the cracks is a laudable goal,” Thom said. “However our concern is that striving for the equal outcome is a socialist view and it will create division and dependence on others.”

She believed the words “justice,” “equity” and “inclusion” were loaded terms that mean much more than being fair to all. Thom also believed the NEA and Teachers Union were trying to reframe CRT as diversity, equity and inclusion. Her concern was that the equity and inclusion mindset would divide students into oppressed and non-oppressed groups rather than working together.

Paul Platz also raised concerns about the district’s use of the word “equity”. He said the world equitable is listed in the board’s vision statement for the school

He cited The Journal’s Friday, Oct. 15 article on the board’s study session. Platz said the world equity appears five or six times in the article that focuses on LGTBQ.

“That’s what CRT is about,” Platz claimed. “Putting one group against another. Once upon a time, we were the United States of America. We shared the same vision and same goals. But CRT is so ingrained in your system that I fear you won’t recognize that it is here.”

Platz suggested the board not rubber-stamp curriculum choices just because it came out of a study session.

Gigi Rysdhal agreed racism was a problem, but diversity, equity and inclusion are not the answer. She believed focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion teach kids to be racist by making darker skin kids think they are victims and paler kids are oppressors. She believed the secret to racism was teaching kids that we are one race.

Michael Thom thanked board members Gag and Schiro for meeting with him the previous night to discuss these issues. He expressed surprise the district was not working on an equity policy because it had a prominent place in the strategic plan. Thom was also concerned about dividing students by going down a social justice path. He also objected to the board limiting space for the public to respond to these issues.

Randy Wiltscheck addressed the board but had no specific topic. He wanted to remind everyone they were attending the meeting because they wanted what is best for the kids. Wiltscheck thanked the board for its professionalism over the last few months. He said there is “Support for you in the community.”

The board made no response to the comments delivered. One parent who wished to remain anonymous expressed concern that the board was not giving a statement or answering questions raised by the public.

Gag said no one person could speak for the board. For this reason, no public comments were given on non-action items.

Superintendent Report

Superintendent Jeff Bertrang gave an update on district activities. The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center open house was held last Wednesday with many in attendance. Bertrang said it went over very well, with visitors impressed with what the facility offered.

Bertrang gave an update on the upcoming district’s special election, scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 2. The polls are open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. The election will be canvassed the following Monday.

As part of the COVID update, Bertrang said there are currently 14 students who have tested positive. There are 43 who are close contacts are at home now, 39 the result of close contacts. There have been 254 tests administered since mid-September.

Board Member Denny Waloch asked how New Ulm schools compared to other districts.

Bertrang said it depended on county density and protocols they have in place. The higher-density schools tend to have higher averages.