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Board declines to approve new concurrent‑enrollment course 'Controversies in History' after procedural concerns

Thompson School District R-2J Board of Education · December 18, 2025

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Summary

After extensive debate about parent opt‑out, counselor workload, teacher protections and scheduling, the board voted 5–2 to reject approval of History 1400 'Controversies in History' and asked staff to continue vetting processes before future consideration.

Board members considered a recommendation from the Curriculum Improvement Council to approve several new course proposals. The board voted to approve the CIC list but pulled a single concurrent‑enrollment course—History 1400, titled 'Controversies in History'—for separate discussion.

Supporters of the course, notably board member Mike Scholl, said the syllabus aligns with district policy on controversial issues (policy IMB) and that the course teaches historical methodology and critical analysis rather than propagating viewpoints. Scholl and other supporters noted the course offers college credit and a higher level of analysis for students.

Opponents raised logistical and procedural concerns: counselors’ workload during course registration, the limited time before the registration window closes, the need for parental permission or opt‑out processes if every unit could be considered 'controversial,' and protection for teachers who might face community complaints. Staff acknowledged these constraints and said that implementing the course across multiple high schools would require additional registration procedures and counselor coordination, and could require attorney review of parent-permission language to ensure staff protection under existing policy.

When the board voted on the motion to approve History 1400 immediately, the motion failed, 2–5. Supporters said they will continue working with staff and the teacher to refine administrative procedures; staff said the course may be reconsidered after process issues are resolved and would not appear in the immediate course catalog.