Robert Hess: Something very disturbing occurring in Loveland School Board election

by Robert Hess

Something very disturbing is occurring in the elections for our Loveland (and possibly others) school board: The politicization of the board and the candidates. In the past, most people running for school boards truly had the interests of the students and the community at heart. Republican, Democrat, Conservative, or Liberal was not an issue. Even when the candidates may have been using the office as a springboard to future political venues. 

This 2021 race is featuring a block of candidates running to achieve a political purpose. They appear to be running as a block to further their political ideals, regardless of what the ideals really have to do with education and the enhancement of our school district.

One key issue this block keeps bringing up is Critical Race Theory (CRT) in the curriculum.

First of all, Critical Race Theory is not a part of the curriculum and is not taught in the school system. (A point that several of the candidates who are not part of the “block” have stated.)

Secondly, to be part of the curriculum it would have to be approved and instituted at the State level. That has not and is not being done. Yet, members of the block state unequivocally that whether it is here or not, it is coming. Is this a scare tactic? Is it possibly a tactic to unite certain people to vote for them to make sure Critical Race Theory never happens?

Also, I ask, what is Critical Race Theory? Most people have either no idea or only a vague understanding based upon what rumors they have heard. Why are certain people afraid of elements of CRT. I have tried to study CRT and admit I still do not really know what it is. And if it goes toward teaching the truth, is that a problem. Should we cleanse our education system of the truths we do not want to believe or do not like? Isn’t that a bit scary? (Sounds a little like The Scopes Monkey Trial or Banned in Boston.) Many people are using CRT as a way to unite certain elements and scare those who do not understand what is and is not part of our local and state curriculum and what Critical Race Theory really means.

Finally, do we really want block voting; i.e. Voting on issues that may not be in the best interest of students and education, but instead benefits a political point of view. Perhaps blocking good issues. Haven’t recent politics caused enough problems in our society without bringing it into the schools?

Let us make sure that we get and keep politics out of the classroom and leave education to those who truly understand what and how to do it, with our oversight and assistance. Sure, a previous school board almost made some big mistakes. But they were in the best interest of the students and we, the voters, prevented them from implementing those mistakes. Most of those people, both board and administrators, are now gone. Let us make sure that we are trying to improve and broaden the education of our students so that they might avoid the pitfalls that our older generations have set up for them.

Please vote responsibly, with understanding, and beware of the political tyranny that could be brought to our school system by political blocks attempting to take over our school system.

Robert Hess lives in the Claiborne West Neighborhood in Loveland.