Berea school board opposes 3 ‘divisive concepts’ state bills

BEREA, Ohio – Berea Board of Education members during their May 9 work session formally opposed Ohio House bills 322, 327 and 616 that aim to prohibit the teaching or promoting of what legislators call “divisive concepts” related to race, sex, current events, sexual orientation and gender identity.

“All three bills represent an unprecedented intrusion into local control to determine and regulate curriculum and instruction … and perpetuate false narratives that continue to divide our communities,” the board resolution says. “These bills have no place in public education.”

It goes on to emphasize the Berea City School District does not teach Critical Race Theory.

“These bills seek to place fear in teachers so they reconsider culturally responsive lessons and think twice about providing each child with what is in their best educational interests,” the resolution says.

It indicates the board “staunchly” opposes the three measures, noting the legislation “devalues staff, students and families of color, and LGBTQIA+ staff, students and families, and suppresses classroom discussion and promotes fear, intolerance and hate.”

After listening month after month to misinformation, insults and insinuations repeated by a small group of parents, and sometimes district outsiders, during public participation at board meetings – including that evening – Board President Ana Chapman made it clear she has heard enough.

“(State legislators) are trying to legislate things that are not currently happening in our schools,” Chapman said. “There is no sexualization of minors going on in the Berea City School District. I’m tired of hearing it. It’s ridiculous.”

Chapman added she and fellow teachers in all school districts are fed up with being called “groomers.”

“People need to grow up,” she said. “Those who agree with me need to step up and start saying they support the Berea City Schools because they know (sexualization/indoctrination) is not happening.”

She later confirmed to cleveland.com that no one has presented to the board or Superintendent Tracy Wheeler any examples or evidence of the sexualization or indoctrination of students, or of the teaching of Critical Race Theory in the district.

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