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Resident urges district to eliminate social-emotional learning; board directs staff to review
Summary
A resident told the Gilbert Public Schools board that social-emotional learning (SEL) should be removed, citing cost and studies he said showed harm; the board asked staff to place a review of SEL on a future agenda.
Richard Young, a resident who addressed the board during the public-comment period on Feb. 25, asked the Governing Board to "eliminate social emotional learning," telling trustees he believed the program cost the district $68,000 annually and that he had provided research and materials to board leadership.
Young asserted that social-emotional learning had been criticized as a "Trojan horse for introducing critical race theory" and referenced an executive order and a Manhattan Institute study in support of his position. The transcript records Young saying the district could reallocate the $68,000 to the superintendent's reading program if SEL were removed.
The board did not accept the request as a formal policy change during the public-comment period. Board President Chad Thompson asked staff to place a review of social-emotional learning on a future board agenda so trustees could examine the materials and the program. "Doctor McCord, I'd like to request, that we put, a review of social emotional learning for the board in an upcoming board meeting," the president said; Superintendent Shane McCord answered, "You bet."
What this means: the board has not adopted any change to policy or curriculum. The record shows the board will review the matter at a later meeting after staff prepares information for trustees.
Attribution and context: Young's claims about federal executive orders, state education guidance and research findings were presented during public comment and attributed to him in the meeting transcript. The board did not adopt those claims as factual findings; the board's recorded action was to request staff review and report back.
