Aitkin School Board talks CRT, Website links on District website at August 9th Special Meeting

By Paul Vold kkin@rjbroadcasting.com (8/12/21)

(Aitkin, MN) — The Aitkin Public School Board held a Special Meeting Monday night to review the topic of Critical Race Theory in the School District and adding informational educational website links to the school website.

After the Public Comment Period, which saw both sides of the issue presented, Superintendent Dan Stifter began with the overall stance of CRT for the District.

Board member Joe Ryan mentioned the CRT topic coming at a critical time where the Board’s focus remains on the Capital Projects Levy and how CRT could distract the public from their goal.

Board member Dawn Houser spoke about her personal thoughts and this topic being about history.

Board member Jeremy Janzen voiced his stance on how the future of education is still a ways away, but being prepared for change is coming to all.

The Board voted in favor 5-2 of tabling of more talks with CRT until after the November election with the Capital Projects Levy on the ballot. Superintendent Dan Stifter did talk about adding educational website links to the school website.

Further discussion led to the Board holding off on adding the links to the website until the District’s Policy committee can take a further look into which website links would be allowed at a later date.

A link for the video from this Monday’s Aitkin Public School Board meeting, is available with this story.