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Public commenters press board on Whitmore Classical Academy ties to Hillsdale and religious content
Summary
Two public speakers told the board they are concerned that Whitmore Classical Academy may still have ties to Hillsdale College and that the charter’s curriculum contains religious material; they urged the district to clarify the status and ensure compliance with Oregon law and Department of Education complaints.
Two community members used public comment on May 13 to press the board about Whitmore Classical Academy’s curriculum and potential ties to Hillsdale College. Justin Ludwig, identified as a member of the superintendent policy review committee, said public records and Whitmore’s original materials suggest continuing linkage to Hillsdale and warned that state action finding a substantial religious affiliation could jeopardize state funding for both the charter and district programs. “If the state determines there is a substantial basis for religious entanglement, both the charter school and the district could place state school funds distributions at risk,” Ludwig said.
Carlyn Washburn said the curriculum review committee found religious content in the proposed materials, including a first-grade unit on world religions that, according to the committee’s report, described the Exodus narrative as straightforward fact. She recalled that at a prior board meeting an original Whitmore board member said the school would continue a classical approach and that the district’s attorney had flagged Hillsdale affiliation as a prohibited relationship under Oregon law. “On what basis is the Siuslaw School District Board still funding this school with taxpayer dollars?” she asked.
Administration subsequently presented an independent curriculum review (agenda item 8.3) that recommended continuing use of core materials through grade 5 only if specified gaps are addressed and language framing is added to ensure historical context and compliance with public-school standards. The review also noted two formal complaints had been filed with the Department of Education and recommended modifications before full adoption. The board directed staff to present the committee report and to require Whitmore to address the documented gaps and clarifications in the review process.
