ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. — Francis Howell High School students walked out peacefully Thursday morning against what they say is the school board's ongoing pattern of discrimination and racism.
The student walkouts were in response to multiple concerns, especially after a move that happened nearly a month ago.
In December, the board voted 5-2 to remove Black History and Black Literature courses because the curriculum was connected to the “Social Justice Standards: The Teaching Tolerance Anti-Bias Framework” as published by Teaching Tolerance, a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center.
In a statement following the meeting, Adam Bertrand, the board's president and one of the members who voted to remove the electives, sent the following statement:
"The Board of Education voted to rescind approval of the academic standard titled “Social Justice Standards: The Teaching Tolerance Anti-Bias Framework” as published by Teaching Tolerance, a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center and associated curricula, effective July 1, 2024.
"With SPLC providing a blanket call out of all parents involved in education as part of their ‘hate map’, this framework specifically promoting activism, and the history of how this framework was adopted I chose to vote in favor of rescinding. While removal of this standard affects the Black History and Black Literature courses many on the board signaled to the District they would be supportive of bringing these courses back after removal of this controversial standard."
Following this, students protested and a petition was even made.
The petition has garnered more than 4,000 signatures.
A week later, the school announced it would reinstate those classes with an updated curriculum for the 2024-25 school year that is "rigorous and largely politically neutral - one that will meet the board's approval on a timeline that prevents interruption of course offerings."
Harper Schneider, a sophomore studying at the school, and Kyndall Bovinett, Ryann Lovelace Brown and Lauren Chance, who are seniors, were four students who spoke to news reporters following the walkout.
"We as students won't stand discrimination of any kind. We need to see inclusivity and diversity in our schools and our classes," Schneider said.
Brown and Chance both said they took the Black history courses.
Now, they are disappointed about this being stripped away from others.
"I don’t understand what a politically neutral class for Black history would look like and I don’t think there could be a politically neutral class. History cannot be politically neutral, the whole point of history we teach so it doesn't repeat itself. The only way they are going to put these courses back is if they 'water it down' and 'whitewash' Black history because they don't want people to know the real disparities Black people have gone through," Chance said.
Brown also voiced concerns.
Brown said these classes are electives and he believes they shouldn't be taken away from other students who want to learn.
"They are trying to get rid of Critical Race Theory taught in schools, which is just showing that systemic racism is still around to this day and how it’s still present," Brown added.
Chance said he believes this has been a tactic to keep the students silent and thinks some students didn't come to the walkout because they were intimidated by board members.
"To the board, we are not backing off and we are not going to be silenced," Chance added.
Chance told reporters students have the following requests:
- They want the resolution against racism and discrimination reinstated.
- They want the Black history and literature class to continue as originally written.
- They want staff members who reflect and represent their students and for Black and minority staff to feel safe and comfortable in schools.
In support of the updated curriculum is President Ken Gontarz of the political action committee Francis Howell Families.
The organization recruits and supports candidates for the school board. On its Facebook, it says, "Say NO to CRT and division. Say YES to academic excellence."
Gontarz told 5 On Your Side, "I want to reassure our audience and community, Francis Howell families and the school board is for Black history. We are not racist, we are not discriminators, believe me."
He said for the last two years, the organization wanted to update the curriculum involving the Southern Poverty Law Center, for it to be removed.
5 On Your Side asked about their concerns.
"There is an agenda on this, there is a social justice agenda," Gontarz said.
Gontarz also said the committee doesn't oppose Black history classes but believes there should be changes.
"We don't want to have the social activism a part of our curriculum. If you want to do that in college, fine but in our high schools we want to focus on science, technology, math, reading and writing. Can you keep it at education and not indoctrination?" he asked.
He said his concerns are focused on identity politics.
"It's where you take race, take a look at gender and they are advancing if you will, or advocating these social programs and agendas," Gontarz said.
Both sides say they aren't giving up on making their voices heard.
"We want to unite this community. We don’t want to divide this community, we want to be inclusive," Gontarz added.
"Actions speak louder than words and we heard them loud and clear. We know most of the board doesn't stand with our students and that's a little scary for not only us but the future of all of Francis Howell," Bovinett said.
On Thursday night, there was a school board meeting at 6:30.
On the agenda, it read they will provide an update on the timeline and process for these revised courses.
Francis Howell District spokesperson shared this statement before the walkout:
Our goal is to maintain a safe and secure school campus and to ensure that if a walkout occurs, students do not present a major disruption to the learning environment. We trust that students who choose to participate will remain peaceful as they exercise their First Amendment rights.
Zebrina Looney President of the St. Charles Branch of the NAACP shared this statement on Thursday:
We stand in solidarity with Francis Howell School District Students. The FHSD students’ decision to walk out in protest against the removal of black history and literature classes reflects a commitment to inclusive education. These courses contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of our shared history and cultural diversity. By advocating for the permanent reinstatement of these classes, students are promoting an environment that values diverse perspectives and fosters a sense of unity. Their peaceful demonstration highlights the importance of education and embraces the richness of black history and literature, fostering an inclusive learning experience for all.
The Southern Poverty Line Center shared this statement on Dec. 27:
The Francis Howell School Board’s decision undermines the rights of students and parents who seek an uncensored, truthful and inclusive education. Our public schools must be a place where all students have the right to receive an education that champions equity and reduces prejudice. Denying access to courses on Black history and literature harms all students, especially those whose identities and histories are reflected in these courses.
At a time when students’ right to learn about our country’s history and to discuss race and racism is being severely threatened by school boards that are under fire or have been taken over by anti-student inclusion activists, educators, parents and caregivers need to have access to age-appropriate, anti-bias curriculum. SPLC’s Learning for Justice created the Social Justice Standards as a road map for anti-bias education at every stage of K-12 instruction, helping students appreciate their own cultural identity without denying the value and dignity of other people.