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South Dakota Parents Involved in Education president criticizes Minnesota task-force educator during public comment
Summary
Florence Thompson, president of South Dakota Parents Involved in Education, used the Jan. 7 public-comment period to criticize Minnesota educator Brian Lisinski and said the national parents’ group awarded him a "millstone of the month" for what she called harmful rhetoric.
During the Jan. 7 Rapid City Area School District 51-4 board meeting, Florence Thompson, who identified herself as president of South Dakota Parents Involved in Education and a retired school psychologist, used the public-comment period to criticize an educator in Minnesota.
Thompson said the national organization U.S. Parents Involved in Education gives a monthly “millstone of the month” award for what the group describes as "the most egregious acts against children." During her remarks she named Brian Lisinski (transcript spelling) — identified by Thompson as an associate professor of urban and multicultural education in Minnesota and a member of a state education task force — and said the national affiliate chose him for the award. Thompson said Lisinski has “called for the overthrow of The United States” and described him as a "radical Marxist," remarks she presented as her interpretation of his public statements and of the award committee’s judgment.
The board did not respond beyond standard acknowledgment; Thompson’s remarks were delivered during the public-comment portion of the meeting. The allegations she presented were not attributed to district staff, and the board did not take action based on the comments during the meeting.
