School board sets dates for critical race theory town halls

Two town halls have been scheduled to discuss critical race theory in Douglas County schools.

Sessions are 6 p.m. Oct. 13 at Whittell High School and Oct. 21 at Douglas High School commons.

The town halls are being sought by parents concerned about the possibility it’s being taught in the schools.

“I have seen some evidence of (critical race theory) in our district and that’s why I brought this before the board,” School Trustee Doug Englekirk said at a Sept. 14 meeting.

The town halls are designed as a way to listen to residents about the controversial topic and won’t have presenters.

“I don’t know that anybody is pro-CRT,” Board President Linda Gilkerson said. “What we’re trying to find out is just trying to understand. That’s where we have to start to get us on the same page.”

The only debate in September was whether there would be presenters at the town halls.

“I don’t know we can sit here and say I’m pro and I’m con,” Gilkerson said.

Superintendent Keith Lewis said that there isn’t any reference to critical race theory in the district’s curriculum.

“The goal of the town hall is for us to be able to listen,” Lewis said. “We are trying to wrap our heads around this topic. We want to put together a process so we can hear what everyone has to say about this, educate ourselves, and educate our community.”

Trustees are expected to discuss the issue again at their Oct. 12 board meeting at Whittell and Nov. 9 in Carson Valley before putting an action item on the agenda in December.

Trustee Robbe Lehman suggested the district conduct a survey before the December meeting.

“I don’t want the district trying to define something for our community until we’ve heard what our community has to say,” Lewis said.

Englekirk said he would like to have presenters on the issue at the November meeting.

One resident asked during public comment what would happen if the state mandated the district teach the curriculum.

One of the key questions before the school board is how residents define the theory, which has been a controversial topic across the country.