Delayed implementation of the Second Step SEL program

I’d like to thank and congratulate the Warren County School Board for its recent, unanimous decision to indefinitely delay the implementation of the newest version of the very controversial Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), “Second Step,” until all SEL material has been carefully reviewed by the school board and parents.

I give particular thanks to school board member Ralph A. Rinaldi of the Shenandoah District for making the motion that was passed unanimously by the board.

Many Warren County parents are concerned about SEL. Several want the program stopped!

I strongly support providing the log-in-codes and passwords so parents can “fully access electronically” — at their leisure — all lesson-plans, videos, teacher scripts, student handouts, and student worksheets.

Parents need this access to make a properly informed decision.

Taxpayers need the data to determine if education dollars are being well spent.

A committee of local citizens has formed to review the program and make a presentation with recommendations to the board. The committee was formed when we learned the details about Sam Crowley, a beloved public school music teacher in Utah, who publicly resigned his position on the grounds that he “cannot teach to your children a program that is harmful.” 

Providing this access should not be a problem since Copyright laws allow “fair use” for purposes such as evaluations.

I ask the School Board to direct Dr. Ballenger, the school Superintendent, to give parents and taxpayers complete access to SEL material so they can properly evaluate this very controversial program.

Eugene G. McGuirk, BA, MA, MBA
Front Royal, Virginia