Resident urges stronger energy-science education, questions use of 'carbon free' term

During the public forum at the Nov. 24 meeting, a resident who identified himself as Joe Wasek urged the board to strengthen energy-science instruction and to use more precise technical language in curriculum.

“I’m frustrated when I hear statements showing energy science ignorance,” Wasek said, arguing that the district should teach EROEI — energy return on energy invested — and avoid the shorthand term “carbon free” without fuller context. He said Minnesota’s electricity mix is sometimes described as carbon free but called that term misleading when the full fossil-fuel footprint of generation and distribution is considered.

Wasek also asked who determines curriculum and what role the school board has in shaping energy- and climate-related instruction. The board did not respond with policy changes during the meeting; the comment was recorded during the public comment period and no action was taken.

Procedural note: the board’s public-comment rules were read before the speaker’s remarks; the meeting record shows a discrepancy between the name on a submitted card (identified by staff as “Roger Wasek”) and the speaker’s self-identification as “Joe Wasek.” The meeting transcript records the comment but does not show follow-up from board members on curriculum policy at this meeting.