New Hanover County School Board passes policy outlining concepts teachers cannot teach

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A policy some would call controversial is now on the books for New Hanover County Schools.

Policy 7205 outlines the standards of professional conduct. Most of the policy the board agreed upon, but there is one section that caused contention.

Among other things, the policy prohibits employees from misrepresenting their qualifications, outlines when teachers can charge for tutoring services, and forbids sexual abuse and exploitation.

The portion of the policy that caused concern falls under Section Z, which reads:

“Employees shall ensure dignity and nondiscrimination in schools by not teaching students or compelling students, teachers, administrators, or other school employees to affirm or profess belief in the concepts that:

1. One race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex;
2. An individual, solely by virtue of his or her race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive;
3. An individual should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment solely or partly because of his or her race or sex;
4. An individual’s moral character is necessarily determined by his or her race or sex;
5. An individual, solely by virtue of his or her race or sex, bears responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race or sex;
6. Any individual, solely by virtue of his or her race or sex, should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress;
7. A meritocracy is inherently racist or sexist;
8. The United States was created by members of a particular race or sex for the purpose of oppressing members of another race or sex;
9. The United States government should be violently overthrown;
10. Particular character traits, values, moral or ethical codes, privileges, or beliefs should be ascribed to a race or sex or to an individual because of the individual’s race or sex;
11. The rule of law does not exist, but instead is a series of power relationships and struggles among racial or other groups;
12. All Americans are not created equal and are not endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; and
13. Governments should deny to any person within the government’s jurisdiction the equal protection of the law.”

Board member Stephanie Walker believes Section Z is unnecessary, could be unconstitutional, and fears it could be intended to punish teachers since it is an HR policy.

“I just really hope it doesn’t stop [teachers] from teaching children the way they should be taught which is to be critical thinkers, which is to talk about history and sometimes it’s going to be hard,” Walker said. “I think most people felt like it was going to be passed anyway. That was the conclusion. I think what we had was a conversation that was very important so that people could understand really what it meant.”

After a lengthy discussion, board member Stephanie Kraybill made a motion to pass the policy with the exclusion of Section Z. This motion failed.

The policy passed as presented four to three. Walker, Kraybill, and Hugh McManus cast the dissenting votes.

The board was supposed to hear an update on the Career Readiness Academy at Mosley, including a cost benefit analysis of the school. This item was tabled until the board’s March meeting. It was tabled because by the time the board came out of closed session they had already surpassed the four hour rule for the meeting’s length.

Last week during the board’s agenda briefing, board member Pat Bradford expressed intent to make a motion to rescind Superintendent Dr. Charles Foust’s contract renewal. She did not make this motion on Tuesday night. When asked why not, Bradford said she had no comment.