The Mason School Board reverses its policy on controversial topics Oct. 11, allowing employees to express their personal opinions as long as students are encouraged to reach independent decisions. The motion passed 5-2, with Michael Kelly and Patrick O’Connor voting against.
Treasurer Steve Duane said this change takes away the question of what is and is not OK for teachers.
“We don’t want the policy to be so restrictive that it creates questions, it creates doubt, in the minds of teachers,” Duane said.
Policy 2240 originates from Neola, an organization that helps schools create board policies. This policy provides guidance for the instruction and discussion of controversial topics in school.
Board secretary Liz Evans said the discussion stemmed from an individual situation, and the policy’s use is not common in the district.
“The reality is it has not been an issue,” Evans said. “It’s in place so that teachers know what their boundaries are, parents know what teachers’ boundaries are.”
At the start of the meeting, a public comment was made in regards to Policy 2240. Kelly Hannon, an executive committee member of Mason’s The Equity Taskforce, requested revisions, including reporting when the policy is invoked and creating more transparency around the definition of controversial.
According to Hannon, the policy changes came up in response to a situation involving the co-founder of The Equity Taskforce, Katelyne Thomas. Thomas resigned from Mason Public Schools in February 2021 after suggesting to add Black Lives Matter at School materials to the district’s Black History Month content. The Equity Taskforce formed shortly after her resignation and currently has six team members.
The Equity Taskforce originally hoped the policy would be eliminated entirely. Following the board’s vote, Hannon said that although it was not the result the group wanted, it was a step in the right direction.
“I’m hopeful that they see how confusing the issue is from the outside and from the inside, and they can understand better how it’s being used,” Hannon said. “And maybe we can revisit it in the future.”
Hannon said that The Equity Taskforce will continue to keep an eye on the policy and any potential uses of it.
“Our overall mission is to promote DEI work in the school district and in the community as a whole, with a focus on community education, district policy and curriculum used in the district,” Hannon said. “This is just part of what we’re doing and we’re happy to continue work in other places as well.”