Placentia-Yorba Linda becomes first OC school district to ban critical race theory

In a 3-2 vote earlier this month, district trustees voted to ban critical race theory in schools, despite arguments that it isn’t currently being taught. Wiki Commons

Trustees from the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (PYLUSD) voted earlier this month to prohibit instructors from utilizing critical race theory when discussing race-based topics in class at district schools.

The decision narrowly passed with a 3-2 vote at the board meeting April 5. The scope of PYLUSD public schools affected by the ban encompasses 21 elementary schools, six middle schools, five high schools and four alternative schools, including the district’s online, special education, home school and adult transition programs.

This vote marks the first district in Orange County to ban the theory, even though the trustees have conceded it isn’t currently taught in local schools. The ban would prevent any future instructors from implementing critical race theory.

“I don’t want my politics, I don’t want your politics, I don’t want anybody’s politics (in classrooms),” trustee Leandra Blades said at the meeting. “I do believe in teaching kids to think critically ... There are so many things you could teach your kids at home. If you really are passionate about these subjects, then teach them.”

Many public speakers at the meeting expressed concern that utilizing critical race theory in the classroom could affect children’s perception of race and identity, especially since critics argue the theory advocates discriminating against white people.

“What I have a problem with is blaming the transgressions of the past on one race,” parent Michelle Waterworth said at the meeting. “There is not one person sitting in this room today that has control over the race they were born to be. Therefore, our children should never be made to feel responsible for the decisions that were made in the past … Do we really need to teach hate and division? There is enough of that going around these days.”

PYLUSD President Carrie Buck and trustee Karin Freeman voted against the resolution, saying it would promote censorship among local schools and create a chilling effect for teachers attempting to teach about topics like slavery and social justice topics throughout history.

“At its worst, this resolution positions our educational program for abridgement of free speech and the creation of censorship and bans,” Freeman said at the meeting. “This change creates obstacles and impediments for students’ success. I anticipate that the curriculum will suffer the consequence of dumbing down.”

Lloyd Porter, a former teacher in the district, said at the meeting that the ban promotes “fear-mongering” and will only prevent teachers from authentically teaching these difficult issues.

Two eighth grade students from Kraemer Middle School in Placentia created a physical petition signed by over 550 of their fellow students against the critical race theory ban. They spoke at the meeting urging the board to vote against the resolution.

“Teaching race-related topics is not about blaming any one group,” one of the eighth graders said at the meeting. "Instead, it is trying to understand different perspectives, especially those different from our own, so we can understand how past history affects our current society. This is critically important for us, as the next generation, to not repeat past mistakes.”