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Board to revisit wording on "other genocides" after members ask for broader discussion
Summary
At first reading, staff said House Bill 2779 requires at least three class periods of instruction on the Holocaust and other genocides, but board members asked which genocides would be included and asked staff to return with standards, pacing guides and, if appropriate, legal guidance.
The board held a first reading of proposed policy changes (IHA) that would increase required instructional time on the Holocaust and "other genocides" to at least three class periods, citing recent legislation. Dr. Haid explained that the language aligns with the statute as presented to the district and that the specific change described in the transcript came from the School Boards Association's model language.
Board members raised questions about which genocides would be covered under the phrase "other genocides." One board member asked whether the policy would include "slavery or anything else" and another specifically asked to include a future discussion about the Israel–Palestine conflict as a modern-day genocide. Dr. Haid said the legislation itself focused on the Holocaust and the history of Native Americans but agreed to bring back the relevant standards and pacing guides and to request legal input if the board wants to expand the policy's scope.
A board member asked for the item to return for open discussion at a future meeting and requested a quick legal opinion to clarify parameters. Staff agreed to prepare current curriculum materials and the standards used to teach related current events and to consult the legal team if the board desires broader language.
