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Board pulls Policy 6111 for discussion; member challenges state map/projection statute
Summary
Board member Charles asked that Policy 6111 (classroom environment) be removed from consent and explained his objections, arguing a state statute about map projections (Mercator) improperly intrudes on local curriculum choices; the board asked for sample lessons and legislative guidance.
Board member Charles asked that Policy 6111, "Classroom environment," be removed from the consent agenda so he could explain concerns about state direction on curriculum and a recent statute about map projections.
Charles said the statute — which he attributed to Sen. Justin Wayne and described as part of a broader education bill — "intrudes" on local control and could be constitutionally flawed. "The Mercator projection does exaggerate the sizes or regions near the poles…" Charles said while arguing that a one‑size‑fits‑all statutory restriction on projections can prevent teachers from using maps appropriate to a lesson. He told colleagues he would not vote for a policy that he believes conflicts with state statute only reluctantly and said he preferred the board to record a statement objecting to the statute.
Board members and staff discussed next steps: determining the vote history on the enabling bill to identify potential legislative allies, preparing practical classroom examples and sample lessons to show how the statute would affect instruction, and considering outreach to a state senator to carry corrective language.
No final board vote on Policy 6111 occurred; staff and members asked for more practical demonstrations and background research before returning the item to the agenda.
