Parent and board member raise questions about curriculum content and solicitor fees at Mantua Township School District meeting

A parent speaking during public comment at the Mantua Township Board of Education meeting on Feb. 10 asked the board to explain why district curriculum and library materials include topics such as climate change, diversity, LGBTQ content and certain health topics.

Evan, identified only by first name, asked the board “Why?” and referenced Executive Order 5756, which he described as recognizing two sexes. He also questioned why the district pays solicitor fees to attend monthly board meetings and asked why the district has paid solicitor fees to a company he said is facing criminal charges. Evan said an Open Public Records Act (OPRA) response about a health waiver was inconsistent with earlier reporting.

The matter resurfaced in Old Business when board member Ms. Atkinson raised similar concerns, saying the board should review curriculum policies and accused district materials of "hiding information from parents," and calling for policy review and updates. Solicitor Mr. Morlok responded by reminding Ms. Atkinson that she serves on the Governance/Human Resources committee and that any formal recommendations about policy should be brought to that committee for consideration.

The board did not take formal action on curriculum materials or solicitor-fee practices during the Feb. 10 meeting. No executive session was convened on the topic, and the transcript records no vote or directive ordering an immediate review; the matter was noted for the committee process.

The board also heard routine agenda items and approvals during the meeting; no immediate follow-up date for a committee review of curriculum policies was announced during the session.