PragerU Kids pitches free supplemental lessons to Kern County Board as public commenters object

PragerU Kids representatives presented a suite of free, standards‑aligned supplemental materials to the Kern County Board of Education during the board’s January 2026 meeting, and multiple public commenters urged trustees not to adopt the resources.

Kelly Iannuzzi, manager of district outreach for PragerU Kids, and Selena Lewis, an education outreach specialist, described short video series and accompanying lesson plans aimed at financial literacy, entrepreneurship and civics. Iannuzzi said the materials are supplemental and “previewable, viewable to the teachers” on pragerukids.com and offered customized alignment documents for California standards. She told the board the organization offers classroom resources such as the Cash Course, an entrepreneurship series called The Hustle, and a book‑fair‑in‑a‑box pilot intended for schools to sample titles.

Members of the public spoke in opposition before the presentation and during public comment periods. Ellen Schaffhauser said she had written to the board and raised concerns that some PragerU materials “wedge in Christianity into the public school system.” Emiliano Tristan said PragerU “is a company that spreads misinformation and, right wing propaganda.” Valeria Angeles characterized PragerU as a “for profit content machine” and urged the board to partner only with “reputable educational organizations.” Adam Blazer said the organization is politically motivated and not appropriate to present to children.

Board members pressed presenters on implementation and content. When asked whether the materials teach Christianity, Iannuzzi responded, “Not explicitly. None of our resources teach a single religion.” She also described PragerU as “a digital media nonprofit” rooted in Judeo‑Christian values and said that perspective informed how the organization frames topics like civic responsibility and the founders’ views. Iannuzzi said most of the items shown are teacher‑led supplemental materials and that the organization can provide alignment documents that map content to California standards.

Trustees asked whether PragerU had worked with court and community schools; Iannuzzi said Kern County would be the organization’s first such partner if approved. Trustees requested the alignment documentation and teacher testimonials referenced by the presenters and noted they would review the materials further with district leadership.

The board did not take formal action to adopt PragerU materials at the meeting; presenters offered to share alignment documents and samples for trustees and staff to review.

Next steps: trustees requested alignment documents and samples for further review and indicated district staff would examine how the materials might fit existing curricula and court/community settings.