What do you think of this: Closed Curriculum Discussions in Public Schools

[CornField]

http://www.aberdeennews.com/mld/aberdeennews/news/13405698.htm

This links to an AP news story out of Sioux Falls, SD. The Superintendent there is proposing that all curriculum discussion takes place behind closed doors (not open to the public) although minutes of the meetings would be made public.

From the article:

It's difficult to find committee members willing to serve when the (curriculum) meetings are open to the public, said Superintendent Pam Homan said. The open meeting stifles discussion when a crowd is watching, she said.

She brought the proposal to the school board this week. The board asked her to bring the policy back for further discussion after several members expressed concern about keeping the process open.

The Sioux Falls School District recently went through two public challenges. One involved a controversial middle school sex education curriculum that drew more than 100 people to meetings. A committee also was put together to hear a complaint that a high school library book should be banned, a discussion that drew only one community member.

[Walt Starr]

1. Ah yes, secret meetings for secret agendas to be passed in secret

Secret government is the easiest tyranny of all.

On Edit: This is the easiest thing in the world to fight with a mass mailing campaign. Use the rhetoric of secret government and comapre it to Communist Russia.

[rpgamerd00d]

2. That is what "Executive Session" is for

They need to make use of it.

[madrchsod]

3. i kind`a know why they want this

a large group of people shouting down any thing they don`t feel is appropriate which leads to no rational debate. worse is that the majority of the parents could care less or don`t show up to voice their opinions. in a way i don`t blame them but the meetings do have to be open.