Trending
MILL HALL -- After a lengthy discussion that took most of its meeting, the Keystone Central School District Board of Directors voted down the purchase of a new Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) program.
After a 5-4 vote, the board elected not to enter an agreement with Character Strong for just over $40,000 to replace its current, years-old SEL program -- Second Step.
The discussion amongst board members saw two sides emerge -- one that was against SEL being included in the curriculum and another that felt there was a benefit.
Christina Manning, director of Pupil Services, presented the board with information about both Character Strong and SEL in general.
Manning noted the consideration of Character Strong did not make it to the Co-Curricular Committee due to a tight timeline to purchase the program with federal funds.
According to a video presentation from Manning, SEL is "the process of learning social and emotional skills."
"With SEL students learn to manage their own emotions and behaviors, have empathy and show care and concern for others, solve problems effectively, make responsible decisions and maintain healthy relationships," the video stated.
Manning told the board these ideas were taken into consideration and implemented in the district's Profile of a Learner prior to considering Character Strong.
Manning recommended the board purchase the program and implement it in grades kindergarten to ninth grade.
"Not going all the way through high school but kind of developing the high school experience at the ninth grade level, which they'll all experience with Second Step through middle school," she said.
Manning said a few teachers within the district, and at various grade levels, piloted the program with many -- along with students -- offering mostly positive feedback.
Manning said Character Strong would offer a way to help fill in necessary gaps in a child's development.
"Our student data and our teacher data from the end of the year reports that... students don't feel like they belong, teachers struggle to teach because of behaviors. So how do you improve your culture?" she said.
She noted SEL is not "one entity" but other programs that teach similarly are already implemented in the school -- like Second Street and the Positive Behavior and Intervention Support (PBIS) program.
"I know one of the big arguments is this is something that has to happen at home. I would love for it to happen at home. But that's not really a thing anymore," she said. "I think that's why we are charged with how we teach kids respect and kindness and empathy and positive decision making."
Board Member Chris Scaff, who voted against the agreement, cited lawsuits against Character Strong and other SEL programs in other school districts across the nation for his concern. He further referenced, through his research via Google, that SEL could be a gateway into teaching Critical Race Theory.
"It's been stated by multiple entities in Arizona that SEL is a gateway method to introduce elements of the CRT into schools," he said. "I, for one, don't think we need this in our school. I've talked to a few pastors on this agenda item and one of them told me that -- at first -- he thought it was a great thing until he got into it and learned that it is an open door from SEL to the CRT."
Scaff also expressed concern with SEL programs taking away from academics -- which was echoed by Board Member Dr. Bill Baldino, who was another no vote.
"My opinion is simply that all our time should go to teaching the kids academic things. They should be learning to read, write, do math," he said. "We don't have the greatest academic record."
Baldino noted he'd looked over the Character Strong program and its reviews.
"I spent a lot of time looking at this. The reviews are mixed," he said. "There has been one lawsuit in Pennsylvania which was settled... important in the settlement was that the school board had to pay legal fees for things."
The lawsuit, which was filed in January 2023, was on behalf of two sets of parents in the West Shore School District. The lawsuit claimed "the district had violated their religious rights by not exempting their children from the 'Character Strong' social skills curriculum," according to an article from Pennlive.com.
Scaff asked Manning if it were possible for parents to opt out of the program.
Manning said, at the moment, it isn't an option due to it being a part of the curriculum. However, it would be something the board could directly be looked into.
"That's why all the lawsuits are taking place," Board Member Tom Cannon, another no vote, said.
Board Member Tracy Smith, who voted in favor of the agreement, asked Manning if they'd received any negative feedback regarding the current Second Step program.
"No, there's the same parent communication" that is proposed in Character Strong, she said.
"This curriculum, from what I understand, is in over three thousand schools," Smith said. "I'm actually looking at something here and somebody is mad because Character Strong did not mention race."
"Give me five or ten minutes and I can find just as much on the side that tells you it doesn't talk about gender or race or anything like that," Smith said.
Board Member Elisabeth Lynch, who voted no to the agreement, said she did so due to a lack of time to conduct her own thorough research.
Lynch further urged Manning and other administrators to let the board know if they need to meet outside of their regular committee schedule to ensure proposals are properly vetted.
"If the administration or directors feel they have something important... please let us know through Dr. (Frank) Redmon or however," she said. "The Co-Curricular Committee might have vetted some of these things so you wouldn't be here at the eleventh hour."
Lynch emphasized that decision making at the eleventh hour "causes dissension and combative feelings."
"I did a little bit of research and I read everything you sent but I'm not in a position to make an educated decision tonight," Lynch said.
Board Member Polly Donahay voted against the agreement for similar reasons.
"I would have liked to hear more from more teachers. I wish I had more time to think about it and more people to talk to about it," she said.
Board President Butch Knauff said he shared similar sentiments but voted in favor of the agreement.
Board Vice President Roger Elling did the same, but said he did so as a way to offer a chance for Character Strong to be researched further.
"I felt if we voted yes then we could get it for free [through federal monies] and consider it more before implementing it," he said.
Board Member Jeff Johnston voted in favor of the program.
"I think that we're being really short sighted here," he said. "This has nothing to do with race or any of that stuff. It's trying to teach these kids skills that they aren't learning at home."
"You have kindergarten students coming in and -- because they have no training at home -- they're coming in and throwing chairs and cursing their teachers out," he said. "We're sitting here saying that we don't want to teach this program because it's going to turn into CRT or DEI or any of the other stuff on Fox News... that's not true."