Governor Brian Kemp applauded members of the State Board of Education for opposing Critical Race Theory in Georgia’s public schools. The board’s 11-2 vote on Thursday followed a letter from Kemp in May urging swift action.
“I applaud the members of the State Board of Education for making it clear this dangerous, anti-American ideology has no place in Georgia classrooms,” said Kemp. “With their vote today, state school board members have ensured education in the Peach State will reflect the freedom, equality, and God-given potential of each individual.”
State BOE Chairman Scott Sweeney says the resolution affirms the board’s commitment to educating students “rather than indoctrinating” them.
“Today, the State Board of Education adopted a resolution affirming it will work to prevent the promotion of any divisive ideologies based on race or sex from being incorporated into Georgia’s K-12 public education standards,” he said.
The two dissenting votes came from Kenneth Mason and Leonte Benton, both of whom are Black.
Mason expressed his opposition to the resolution stating, “it made me feel like I didn’t belong because it excused the existence of racism in my life, in my two children’s life.”
Georgia Teacher of the Year 2021 Tracey Nance Pendley also spoke out against the resolution.
“If the intent is to allow us to give our students multiple perspectives and multiple facts, then I absolutely agree with that,” she said. “However, in some of the wording, it seems like teachers will be censored from talking about current events in the classroom.”
Before the vote, Dr. David “Butch” Mosely asked if there were any additions or deletions that could be made to get Benton and Mason on board with the measure.
“Is there any middle ground where those who are not in favor of this resolution and have spoke out might come in the fold and make this a unanimous vote?” Mosely said he hoped the board would send the message “that we are united in what we’re trying to do and not divisive and create ill will among our members.”
While Mason said he appreciated the “olive branch,” he could not support the resolution.
“I disagree with the intent of the board creating a resolution in this manner because of the unintended damage it will do in classrooms,” he replied. “There’s a danger in some of the rhetoric that I’m open to discussing how we may change some of it but, in totality, the intent, I’m going to respectfully and wholesomely disagree with it.”
The vote comes just one day before the start of the state GOP convention at Jekyll Island. Republicans have led an all-out assault against Critical Race Theory, and it’s likely to be a topic of conversation at this year’s convention.
