To the editor:

A response to Mary Thom’s letter to the editor, 10/15/22. Thank you, Mary, for acknowledging it is “a laudable goal,” to ensure that students have the necessary support in place for them to be successful in school.

Thank you for clarifying that people had not said that there were classes specifically teaching critical race theory and LGBTQ+ ideas. There were numerous verbal and written statements from community members opposing the teaching and discussion of these concepts with students in grades K-3. These statements send red flags to me as a retired teacher. I think of all of the students I taught that did not have the “typical” two-parent family. There were single-parent families and families where the children went between two homes, or lived with relatives. Teachers have worked diligently to respect the circumstances in each of their student’s families to ensure all children in their classrooms feel safe and accepted.

I have concerns about the non-incumbent candidates running for school board. I wonder if they have ever participated in any of the District’s committees that include community members, or knew if these committees existed. I wonder if they have ever volunteered in their children’s classrooms and schools. I wonder if they know they have to attend training classes teaching them about the finances and legal obligations Districts have to their students and families. I wonder if they understand that school districts are bound by Federal and State rules and regulations. School board members may not have the power to change some of the things they want to see changed.

We all are concerned about our public schools and our children’s education. It is time for all of us to calm down, take some deep breaths and have civil conversations about what we want for our children in New Ulm Public Schools.

Anne Donnelly-Rieke

New Ulm