(Fargo, ND) -- A representative for Grand Forks Public Schools denied the allegation that Critical Race Theory is being taught in the district. The comment from the district's Communications and Community Engagement Coordinator Tracy Jentz, came one day after State Representative Jim Kasper told WDAY News First that he and other lawmakers had received a letter from a former teacher in Grand Forks Public Schools, who claims he resigned over his concerns that CRT continues to be taught in the district. The teacher has requested that his identity not be made public. North Dakota state law prohibits the teaching of CRT in the state's classrooms.
Lentz also informed WDAY News First that Superintendent Dr. Terry Brenner would not accept an interview request, and offered several reasons, including:
"Critical Race Theory is not being taught in Grand Forks Public Schools. It is not part of Grand Forks Public Schools curriculum and is not a framework that is used in curricular or teaching and learning decisions
Critical race theory is not part of the North Dakota K-12 Education Content Standards.
The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction reviewed our professional development materials related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and found they did not teach Critical Race Theory.
Superintendent Dr. Terry Brenner has spoken with several Grand Forks legislators on this topic and reinforced that it is not being taught.
We will not discuss comments or situations involving individual students. Further, it's concerning that a state representative and educator would request, "the former teacher's name not be mentioned," but felt it appropriate to share details of an alleged situation with a minor."
North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler was asked to comment on the claim that GFPS is teaching CRT.
"I am aware of the situation that has occurred in the Grand Forks public schools and the issues that the former Grand Forks teacher has raised. I received copies of the materials sent by the Grand Forks public school teacher from a number of legislators earlier this summer. The situation that occurred in Grand Forks did, in part, influence the drafting of administrative rules that are designed to assist school boards with the implementation of a law passed by North Dakota Legislature last November that prohibits critical race theory instruction in North Dakota. The rules address the need to have district-sponsored professional development for teachers to comply with the law. A public hearing on these proposed administrative rules will be held Sept. 8 at the state Capitol. Public comment about the rules will be taken until Sept. 19. They will also be reviewed by the Attorney General and the Legislature’s administrative rules committee."