Seven speak during School Board’s open forum

There were more than 20 people at the New Prague School Board’s Monday, July 12, meeting with seven of them speaking during the open forum. Their comments ranged from inclusion to history to Critical Race Theory. School Board Chair Tammy Pexa informed those that would be speaking that they were limited to five minutes and personal attacks would not be tolerated.

First to speak was Megan Schoenbauer, a 2020 graduate of New Prague High School, who noted her mom had sat on the school board. She explained as a queer woman and for some of her non-white friends they had not all felt included. She was thankful for those teachers who had tried to make them feel included. She said the phrase “All are welcome” shouldn’t be controversial. She said she felt sorry for those who had to put up with backlash for having books that tried to include others.

Kathy Doyle said she was speaking as a white woman and while she was not going to apologize for that she did feel there was a right and a need to tell the complete history of the country. She also felt there was a need to teach truth and transparency.

Jeff Wersaz-LaVelle asked why are those afraid to tell the whole truth when it came to history. He noted when he was a student he was told...

To see more on this story pick up the July 15, 2021 print edition of The New Prague Times.