I have been attending Columbia County school board meetings for months, and this is not the first time I am disappointed with the coverage by Augusta Press.
This article is a superficial coverage of CCBOE meeting Tuesday night, which barely covers the concerns parents expressed on various issues. One man’s prepared speech, who favors masking policy, was full of insults (such as flat earthers, faith not fear, ignoramus, anti-intellectuals, anti-science, and more) against parents who oppose mask mandate.
The school board allowed this man to go on and on, violating their own policy No. 7, of not permitting “profane, defamatory remarks and personal attacks” while lecturing the audience to keep quiet or we were in danger of being escorted out of the room. The next speaker reminded the board that they are failing to follow their own policy, and that they need to enforce rules in consistent manner.
It is newsworthy that CCBOE members don’t seem to take many of parental concerns seriously. They are not responsive to some serious concerns parents have been expressing, meeting and discussing with school administrators, and have been addressing school board members for months.
Here is an example of a parent’s presentation on Sept. 14:
I know I am sounding like a broken record at this point, but let me explain again why transparency is so important. We are dealing with some major issues here, and a lot of the frustration is that we as parents are not feeling heard. All of these issues – from masks to vaccines to CRT to Panorama to sexuality – really boil down to some very core questions:
- Do parental rights supersede what the government (ie school board) has decided is best for children?
- Are schools for teaching academics or emotional skills?
- What is the foundation for the value system currently taught in schools? What happens if it doesn’t align with the value system taught by parents at home?
- Should schools be used as vehicles for societal change?
We have been asking our questions but not getting real answers. We have been told that you will not put your opinions on these issues in writing–only verbal meetings are allowed.
We are told that you will not create policies on these issues to clarify where our schools stand. The written responses we do receive are always vague and noncommittal. How are we supposed to discuss these major issues when we don’t even know where you stand as a school board?
We know we may not see eye to eye, but that can be worked on through open and honest discussions if we could just know where you stand on things. These issues that we are bringing to your attention have very real consequences for our children and even our nation. They deserve to be discussed openly and honestly. To that effect, I have emailed you all a list of questions through Ms. Amanda Moody asking you to make statements on these critical issues.
I will be sharing your responses, or lack thereof, with other parents so that we can hopefully learn where our board members and superintendent stand on these critical issues. These questions are:
1) Do you view the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) favorably or unfavorably? If favorably, why? If unfavorably, do you denounce CASEL for use or reference in Columbia County schools?
2) Are you in favor of teaching Social Emotional Learning as it is currently defined by CASEL in Columbia County Schools?
3) Do you view the teaching of Critical Race Theory concepts in Columbia County schools favorably or unfavorably? If favorably, why? If unfavorably, do you denounce the teaching of Critical Race Theory concepts in Columbia County schools?
4) Do you view the use of Panorama surveys and interventions favorably or unfavorably? If favorably, why? If unfavorably, do you denounce the use of Panorama surveys and interventions in Columbia County schools?
5) Do you view the teaching of Comprehensive Sexual Education favorably or unfavorably? If favorably, why? If unfavorably, do you denounce the teaching of Comprehensive Sexual Education for use or reference in Columbia County schools?
6) Do you feel that parents should be informed before their children are exposed to materials or discussions involving sexuality, sexual preference, gender preference, transgender ideology and similar concepts?
7) Are you aware of any funding that Columbia County schools have received that was given either fully or in part as a result of teaching or promoting the following concepts: Social Emotional Learning, CASEL, Panorama, Critical Race Theory concepts, or Comprehensive Sexual Education?
I sincerely hope that you take this opportunity to provide transparency as to where you, as individuals, stand on these issues. I believe that if you are proud of your beliefs and actions, you should be equally proud to share them clearly and boldly with those who elected you.
Finally, I leave you tonight with John 3:20 – Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.
YeSun Wiltse
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