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Parents say unannounced classroom quiz probed political beliefs; superintendent says it was optional and investigated
Summary
Several parents urged the Somerset School District board to address a ninth-grade classroom quiz hosted on politicalcompass.org that they said arrived without notice or opt-out options; Superintendent Shannon said the quiz was optional, principals investigated and the administration is looking into communications to families.
Several parents used the public-comment period at the Somerset School District board meeting to complain that a ninth‑grade history teacher posted a political-views quiz in Google Classroom without notifying families and without offering an opt‑out.
"Take this quiz and find out where you fall in your political beliefs," read public commenter Michelle Klimtberg, who said the teacher told students the class would read the questions together and suggested students ‘usually get their political beliefs from their parents.’ Klimtberg said she was not given notice that the quiz was administrative nor given an opt‑out for her child and asked whether the practice violated federal and district student‑privacy rules.
The complaint prompted several other parents to speak. Jolene Digelow told the board the district is down 11 students from this time last year and cited bullying, including racial bullying, and curriculum choices as drivers of families leaving the district. Corey Miller urged the board to be more responsive and transparent when parents raise concerns so issues do not ‘‘fester.’’ Louie Germaine separately urged a financial audit after flagging questions about the district’s Fund 80 accounting.
Superintendent Shannon (identified in the meeting) told the board the district received an email from a community member on Sept. 12 and that building principals met with teachers and reviewed the matter. "I started to dig into it," she said, adding she had not received any parent calls or emails earlier but that once administration became aware it investigated. The superintendent denied that the administration ignored the report and said she would not share personnel details publicly but that the issue "has been and continues to be addressed." She told the board she believed the quiz was optional for students.
Board members pressed for clearer communication to families. One board member said a parent screenshot suggested instructions were unclear. Another asked whether the district would send a letter to parents; the superintendent said she was still looking into the situation and would provide an update when appropriate.
Why it matters: Parents and the superintendent framed the dispute differently — parents described a lack of notice and an apparent requirement; administration described an investigation and optional participation. The issue touches on established student‑privacy rules and on trust between families, staff and the board.
Next steps: The superintendent said administration is continuing to investigate and will update the board; board members asked that communication protocols and responses be clarified at a future meeting.
