As the  Olentangy Local School District seeks to provide an equitable and inclusive education for all learners, it is honorable that the district action plan calls to “Ensure an accurate and inclusive curriculum for all students starting in Pre-K through 12th grade.” This may seem like a clear cut goal, but this year’s curriculum changes indicate otherwise. As parents and stakeholders in OLSD, we object to the recent changes in curriculum for K-12 students. The unacceptable adoption of Critical Race Theory is jeopardizing our children’s public education by encouraging the destruction of America’s foundational beliefs, empowering educators who choose to proselytize rather than teach their students, and seeking to upend and silence student values that are taught at home. OLSD's equity and inclusion department, superintendent, school board, and faculty must stop using CRT in our students' classrooms.

We believe our children can be taught to respect and value all people without being told that they are inherently immoral people who have used their privilege at the expense of others. We want our children to be educated and assessed through their individual character and merit. Our elementary students are being told to feel guilty about being white; some of the district's high school English teachers are forcing our students to read Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi, and they are using a teaching resource that promotes the key concept that “racist ideas, along with economic greed, are central to the formation of this nation, its laws, policies, and practices. Meritocracy and the American Dream narrative are rooted in whiteness.” Our students will not dutifully study, obey and accept this prescribed curriculum at the risk of being canceled. We believe in diversity education and appreciate the need for our students to appreciate individual differences; however, we will not stand by and allow our students to be bullied by a politicized curriculum.

As a response to these educational changes, our community asks:

Does the school board and superintendent believe in this binary description of racism and anti-racism? Should parents be expected to shift their values and adopt the idea that the whiteness of the American Dream makes it a deplorable goal for children? Is it wrong for learners to dream of going college, getting a job, and making money? If you believe this, then why do you promote the district’s excellent test scores and AP courses? Aren’t those classes promoting inequity? Furthermore, if the teachers and administrators in this district truly believe and support the Critical Race Theory, then how can they justify their jobs?  Couldn't it be argued that the pay scale that so many OLSD white employees enjoy is unfair and rooted in greed? Wouldn't some of the white educators forcing this theory upon our students be charged as misguided "white saviors" by critical race theorists? Why don’t some of these teachers and administrators quit and give their jobs to racial minorities? After all, shouldn’t they feel guilty for their wealth, employment, and healthcare? Aren't all district officials hypocitically contributing to an establishment that perpetuates racism?

Critical Race Theory is the wrong approach to diversity education, and this district needs to cease and desist with its implementation. Our community rejects any curriculum that convicts the American Republic, demonizes the Protestant work ethic, and calls for the abolishment of America’s capitalistic economy. Ultimately, the framework of OLSD’s new curriculum may be perceived as a war on Western civilization as we know it. Indoctrination does not foster love and a strong sense of community. When our students enter the classrooms of OLSD buildings, we do not want their entire educational experience defined by racial identity.  

 Our community must be inclusive and respectful. However, faculty members and district officials who promote their own agendas are preventing that. Clearly, stakeholders are going to have to step up and take our community back.  We respect diversity and believe in teaching our kids the dangers of racism. We do not, however, send them to a public school so that they can be indoctrinated into submission by educators.