Despite public outcry, the Brevard school board approved a Bible-based financial curriculum on Tuesday, not dealing with handling of situations involving alcohol-fueled teen parties at the home of the principal in Cocoa Beach did.
With Dave Ramsey’s “Personal Finance Fundamentals” curriculum on the agenda, members of the Sparse Audience at the evening meeting discussed both issues. Police said more than 100 teens attended and drank alcohol at the principal’s house.
One parent, Matthew Coulter, cried out to board member Matt Suzin, “You’re done!” After he spoke about his concerns about the board’s reaction to the arrest of a Roosevelt employee. The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office deputy stood nearby but did not take him out of the room.
However, board members have not dealt with the arrest. Expressing all excitement at the prospect of Ramsey’s curriculum being used, the board voted unanimously to approve it, and board member Katye Campbell pushed back the idea of the curriculum. – It is a “Christian Curriculum.”
“There are some quotes from Pro’s and Luke, but also from Maya Angelou and Benjamin Franklin, and perhaps a variety of miscellaneous people,” she said. “We are not going to remove any references to the Bible.”
The board approves Ramsey’s curriculum despite pushback
Board members expressed excitement about Ramsey’s curriculum being used in BPS, and board member Megan Wright said she “made it ec.”
“Our kids need to learn financial literacy,” she said. “They don’t know that, so this is a good step in the right direction.”
Several members of the public were not particularly enthusiastic about the idea.
Pamela Castellana, a member of the Brevard Democratic Executive Committee, raised concerns that using the curriculum could lead to lawsuits in the district, banishing some students.
“Using this text could directly harm non-Christians. Non-Christians may decide that these principles do not apply to them because they are not Christians,” she said. I said that.
She added that even if the curriculum is nationally recognized, the board should choose another one to set “a true standard of excellence, rather than following the ordinary.”
Julia Anton spoke to address multiple issues in the non-agent public comments section, but her comments focused primarily on religious concerns in the classroom.
“I will never adopt religiously religious texts for any coursework,” she says, and although she loves Jesus, in one religious perspective taught in schools He added that it is impossible for everyone to be happy.
Campbell said the public could challenge the curriculum in the next 30 days, and that the hearing would then take place in front of an impartial hearing officer.
“I really encourage people to look at themselves and follow the process,” she said. “I won’t be coming back to this board of directors, which I’m voting tonight. I’ll be going to this hearing officer and I can be on tonight’s agenda item.”
“Abomination” when dealing with party incidents
In the second part of the public comments on non-agent-related items held at the end of the meeting, Castellana retold. This time, we are working on handling the district of Roosevelt’s principal and teacher arrest.
“The principal and third-grade teachers act to risk the lives of students, instead brush it off to “children become children” and refuse to admit that they will become a terrible representative of the board. You must refuse and resign. Chair,” she told board chair Jean Trent, referring to an interview with FOX35, where he said the party was “not new.”
“It happens when you have thousands of employees,” he said in an interview with Fox.
Castellana added that if teachers and principals believed it was normal to host “drunk parties,” the entire board would have resigned, but not before fired the superintendent. .
Coulter, a student’s parent, said he was “fed up” with all members of the board of directors about how recent incidents were handled.
“There are systematic issues with management throughout most of your school,” he said, sharing how he felt unprecedented while his child was being bullied at Jefferson Middle School last year.
“Your last one – I work tirelessly to ensure you are replaced by someone who cares about our students.
The board said nothing about the arrest, but cabinet members spoke with Coulter after the meeting.
Finchwalker is a Florida education reporter today. Please contact Walker at fwalker@floridatoday.com. X: @_finchwalker.
