Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
COLFAX — Critical race theory drew people to make comments at the Colfax School Board meeting on July 26.
The district moved the meeting to the gym to accommodate about 80 people attending.
In an interview the next day, Colfax School District Superintendent Jerry Pugh addressed references speakers made to critical race theory, and whether Colfax teachers had undergone training to use it.
"There is nothing of critical race theory that we are contemplating, that we are promoting in the district," Pugh said.
Staff received a one-day online training session last spring from Educational Service District 113 titled "Racial Literacy." District 113 represents Grays Harbor, Thurston, Lewis, Mason, and Pacific counties.
"I will take a harder look into the details of this," Pugh said. "It's a lesson learned for me. I need to be more critical as I bring things into the district."
The reaction from the public gave him pause.
"We all have implicit biases to recognize and be aware of. That was the intent of what I thought this was about," Pugh said. "How to be culturally responsive – I didn't view it in the matter which some did. We're educating all kids, as we've always educated kids in Colfax."
He got an overview of the course before arranging for the training.
"We do have to examine who we are continually. Really that was the intent," he said. "Not to put any person above another person or make someone more important than another person."
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
Reader Comments(0)