Norwin proposes policies to handle tricky topics like critical race theory

Norwin School Board unveiled a proposed “controversial issues” policy Monday to act as a guide for teachers on matters of race and other topics.

The proposed policy comes after several months of debate among board members, students and residents about whether critical race theory is being taught in some lessons.

The board’s policy committee, composed of four board members and four administrators, spent a lot of time developing the policy, said Darlene Ciocca, board president.

“It is well-researched and very balanced,” board member Joanna Jordan said.

Board members did not engage in discussing or debating the proposed policy, which is to be voted on at the April 18 meeting.

Under the proposed policy, teachers will be permitted to address contemporary issues as long as the lesson does not tend to indoctrinate or persuade students to a particular point of view. Teachers will not be permitted to present their position as the only acceptable view on an issue. Efforts should be made to present materials and references that offer a variety of viewpoints that students can access in the classroom or the school library, according to the proposed policy.

In addressing controversial issues such as critical race theory, teachers will be permitted to instruct students on historical events or periods in history when one race oppressed another. They also will be permitted to discuss stereotypes and prejudice, but controversial topics such as systemic racism must be presented from multiple perspectives. Assignments are not to put students in situations where they are required to share about their own privilege or oppression, but students are allowed to share their experiences and beliefs, through appropriate discussions, according to the policy.

Alex Detschelt, a leader of the board’s conservative faction and a member of the policy committee, had proposed creating a policy that would have used part of a Tennessee law passed to address instruction on racial issues. Detschelt has said if Tennessee’s law was good enough for a state, it was good enough for Norwin.

Ryan Lynn, president of the Norwin Education Association, which represents the teachers, declined to comment on the policy.

The new policy, if approved, will provide useful guidance and assistance in handling controversial issues, said Brandon Leonatti, who said he has a son in the high school.

Norwin’s board is acting as the community’s watchdog to prevent “indoctrination by a racist theory,” Leonatti said.

Fran Bevan, a former school board member, said opponents of critical race theory are not attacking the school board or the staff, but the issue of CRT.

Former school board member Dennis Rittenhouse said a faction of the school board pushing controversial policies has made people “scared at what you are doing.”

“You are not here to feed your petty political ideals,” Rittenhouse said. “I fear that your actions will tear this district down,” he added.

Rittenhouse directed some of his comments at Detschelt, who had been a strong proponent of banning the CNN 10 broadcast and vocal opponent of CRT. In February, the board ended a middle school practice to show CNN 10 during homeroom unless the program is needed as a matter of instruction or to highlight a patriotic occasion. The broadcast is geared toward students.

Detschelt declined to comment after the meeting.