In 5-4 split, Mifflinburg school district votes for audit to identify ideological bias in curriculum

May 15—MIFFLINBURG — The Mifflinburg Area School District will move forward with setting parameters and scope for a curriculum audit to identify ideologically biased content in the district.

In a split 5-4 vote during Tuesday night's public meeting, Directors Melissa Wagner, Troy Zimmerman, Carl Emery, Tyler Snook and Brandon Straub voted to seek an audit of the district's curriculum while Directors Tom Eberhart, Mindy Benfer, Jodi Marshall and Josh Moser voted against it. The vote comes after the board earlier this year heard a presentation from Vermilion Education.

"This vote is not for if we have an analysis or not," said Zimmerman. "This vote is for a willingness to explore an idea of what an analysis would look like here. We're not locking into anything. We got some good information from our administrators when we had a presentation from Vermilion. What I'm really interested in is the outside perception, primarily ideological biases."

While Vermilion was not hired on Tuesday, Zimmerman said Jordan Adams and his consulting firm offer a "unique service" to analyze curriculum to make sure there are no biases in the Mifflinburg Area.

"You don't see a lot of companies out there that do this stuff," said Zimmerman. "Let's face it. There is an ideological bias in academia. There is. It's pretty one-sided. You're not going to find other companies that do this kind of stuff. I don't know how you can have more experience (than Vermilion)."

Adams was contracted by Florida's Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis to review the state's education curriculum, he said.

"To me, that's a pretty positive thing to show me that the state of Florida thought he was qualified to look for this kind of stuff in their curriculum," said Zimmerman. "I feel with that kind of experience, he should have the ability to find that stuff in our curriculum here in Mifflinburg. If it's there."

Evidence of 'ideological biases'

Zimmerman said evidence of ideological bias was found in practices in the district.

The district had an equity team, which was disbanded. There are a lot of programs introduced by the team that had a bias in them, he said. Previous Superintendent Daniel Lichtel wanted to examine the K-12 curriculum to "consider the design of improvements in the academic program for a stronger education in social citizenship and discrimination reduction," Zimmerman said.

"That doesn't sound bad until you look at what was going on in the country at that time," said Zimmerman. "We had just been through the George Floyd riots. Political activists were stoking raised tensions to gain influence. Local activists had just staged a protest in Mifflinburg. Those same activists pushed for us to have that equity team. We know there was at least an appetite for some of that stuff."

Zimmerman said he wants to inform the citizens who have concerns.

"It's an opportunity to get a general overview, especially with as many new board members as we have, to get a better understanding of what we have, what's in it, what it's about," said Emery. "We want to make sure we're protecting our children and serving the best interests of the community."

It will provide "peace of mind" to help all directors have a better grasp on the curriculum, said Emery.

Not recommended

Superintendent Ken Dady said the administration does not recommend the curriculum audit.

High School Principal Jeremiah Allen said administrators in the district have degrees in curriculum education. Allen encouraged the board to use these experts before bringing in outside assistance.

"We have department leads who are truly experts in their subject matter," said Allen. "They know the standards as good as anyone. I would suggest that before we move forward that we have the leads or curriculum coordinators explain the curriculum you have concerns about. As a district, we review curriculum frequently in the classroom and in the schools and as a district ... to make sure it is updated and correct. If there are any concerns beyond those explanations, then I would agree, then maybe it is time to look for an outside review."

Eberhart said he was not impressed with Vermilion and saw no need to pursue an audit.

"I came away from that presentation with no confidence, frankly, in that business," Eberhart said.

Satanist clubs

Later in the meeting, Emery praised the students involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes club who presented at a work session last week. Emery asked for legal advice from Solicitor Austin White about keeping potential Satanist clubs out of the district. No such clubs have made any requests.

"There's a growing risk among schools that have pro-Christian clubs where the Satanic Temple tries to bring in their Satan clubs," said Emery. "I'm curious how as a board we can protect our district and still keep discretion as far as those clubs and not curb lawsuits."

White and Dady said there has to be student interest in starting a club. Dady would review each request and the state of the current law.

"Dr. Dady and I will work to make sure we act appropriately, legally and don't violate anyone's First Amendment rights," said White.

Dady said the district would follow the same procedure with each club request. Students have the right to start religious clubs, he said.

"I'm sure they have the right," Emery said. "Some of the other districts, when it comes to legal action, that's how they were able to slip in. I'm just saying, I know myself personally, I would never approve it."